In Pier D in dublin yesterday for the first time and quite impressed I must say. Mystified as to why the new terminal in Cork wasn't built to a similar design: bright, airy, spacious, lots of seating and space in departures, half decent amount of retail.
If that had been built in Cork we'd have a terminal of twice the capacity, with twice as many contact stands and for the same price. Instead we got an overpriced goldplated terminal that will be at capacity this year.
On that point, interestingly, the spin from the DAA has started again. Following the publication of the Cassells report, the DAA CEO was quoted as saying Cork are getting a great deal for €113m etc etc, as they were getting a terminal that can handle 5m passengers! The design was always very clear that it was for 3m but that it had been designed so as to make it possible to expand it to cater for 5m. That expansion would not be free....