DUBLIN
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M C,
Perhaps the fare levels were required in order to properly fund a specialised short-haul service. Certainly the Island has suffered in terms of service since the cuts imposed by BA from the old Manx Airlines network.
The Farecracker fares, if you remember were real 'Lo Cost' items and were partcularly innovative at the time; just £1 more than the Steam Packet and that on a monopoly route!
Years back, the Manx Government realised that an agreement was necessary in order to protect the security of surface transport, (Manxline/Sealink), hence the user agreement for the Port of Douglas and it's infrastructure.
As far as I can see, they (the government) encourage Airlines into the Island and then encourage competitors against them. The resulting cut-throat competition is great in the short-term and on traditional LoCo routes but history seems to demonstrate that it is inappropriate on the lifeline routes to and from the island as evidenced by sea transport.
Don't mis-understand me, I am all in favour of cheap fares, but NOT if they undermine the stability of lifeline services and the very viability of operators.
Perhaps the cost of transport is one of the downsides of living on an island of only 75,000 people in the middle of an inhospitable sea!
Perhaps the fare levels were required in order to properly fund a specialised short-haul service. Certainly the Island has suffered in terms of service since the cuts imposed by BA from the old Manx Airlines network.
The Farecracker fares, if you remember were real 'Lo Cost' items and were partcularly innovative at the time; just £1 more than the Steam Packet and that on a monopoly route!
Years back, the Manx Government realised that an agreement was necessary in order to protect the security of surface transport, (Manxline/Sealink), hence the user agreement for the Port of Douglas and it's infrastructure.
As far as I can see, they (the government) encourage Airlines into the Island and then encourage competitors against them. The resulting cut-throat competition is great in the short-term and on traditional LoCo routes but history seems to demonstrate that it is inappropriate on the lifeline routes to and from the island as evidenced by sea transport.
Don't mis-understand me, I am all in favour of cheap fares, but NOT if they undermine the stability of lifeline services and the very viability of operators.
Perhaps the cost of transport is one of the downsides of living on an island of only 75,000 people in the middle of an inhospitable sea!
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Anyone got news on dublin? I wonder when pier D is to start construction, should start this summer. Plenty of new routes this year, and dubai starts next month. Theres also the plan to put the FR desks into the basement - whats happening there?
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No more news about the new terminal. Nothing about the runway or nothing about increased cargo facilities. They've very quiet right now.
There is positive news about new services, but without the capacity, we run the risk of making the same mistakes again. The govt made great play about the importance of trade with China and India (Bertie) and the new bilaterals with Singapore and Thailand (minister), but we've seen no movement on anything.
Unfortunately, political attention has been focused on the M50 and the troll issue(or was it tolls?) Anyway, they're just not focused on aviation - nor, unfortunately, are the media or the opposition, so little wonder that the govt can get away with such a pitifully inept, disinterested and visionless aviation policy.
There's a lot of negative media comment about the minister, who really doesn't seem up to it, but Bertie put him there - with clear knowledge of his record. It can't help, at cabinet level, with cabinet colleagues likely to dismiss any innovations/developments more readily ... if there were any, of course.
There is positive news about new services, but without the capacity, we run the risk of making the same mistakes again. The govt made great play about the importance of trade with China and India (Bertie) and the new bilaterals with Singapore and Thailand (minister), but we've seen no movement on anything.
Unfortunately, political attention has been focused on the M50 and the troll issue(or was it tolls?) Anyway, they're just not focused on aviation - nor, unfortunately, are the media or the opposition, so little wonder that the govt can get away with such a pitifully inept, disinterested and visionless aviation policy.
There's a lot of negative media comment about the minister, who really doesn't seem up to it, but Bertie put him there - with clear knowledge of his record. It can't help, at cabinet level, with cabinet colleagues likely to dismiss any innovations/developments more readily ... if there were any, of course.
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For the DAA's pleasure Cork Airport with her wan airbridge and her happy clappy board and in a spirit of supreme, magnificent sacrafice agrees to take on the burden of building Termial Delta at Dublin! The masses in Dublin can sleep soundly in their beds tonight along with their brothers in Clare! 
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From what I can gather, 3W are consolidating their routes and aircraft, which will give them a sound basis to start making real progress.
The Dorniers are slated to go shortly, the RJ's having already gone (I belive the last went today, Monday). I am also led to belive that there is another 1, or maybe more, Dash 8's in the pipeline. Single type operation will also make things easier for them.
Whatever happens, I sincerely hope they succeed in their venture. I may work for the Greasy Spoon airline (BACON) but that's not to say I want them to go under.
skiddy
The Dorniers are slated to go shortly, the RJ's having already gone (I belive the last went today, Monday). I am also led to belive that there is another 1, or maybe more, Dash 8's in the pipeline. Single type operation will also make things easier for them.
Whatever happens, I sincerely hope they succeed in their venture. I may work for the Greasy Spoon airline (BACON) but that's not to say I want them to go under.
skiddy
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Regards the New terminal and Runway, expect nothing significant for at least a year as both are still in the early planning stages. The time scales for both remain in place. The next steps are to appoint main contractor, architect, engineers etc to the T2 project, expect no concrete design to be unveiled for a year at least. There is also the extension to the current terminal which was recommended in the report by pascal / watson. Ive heard nothing new about this extension.
A new extension (non public ie staff only) is to be built onto Pier C, this has already been submitted for planning permission.
Temp LCC pier (this has full planning permission already) to be erected on the pier D site for the summer.
By the time EI starts Dubai,transfers will again be possible with a new desk in arrivals. - great for the airports chances of attracting more l/h flights
The facelift of the Pier B Retail area continues, and part of the mezzaine food floor will now be accessable straight from 'the street' area.
The arrival of DLs additional JFK and ATL flights this year will presumably cause more problems to the already outgrown US Immigration area and affect morning stands availibility of Pier B.
A new extension (non public ie staff only) is to be built onto Pier C, this has already been submitted for planning permission.
Temp LCC pier (this has full planning permission already) to be erected on the pier D site for the summer.
By the time EI starts Dubai,transfers will again be possible with a new desk in arrivals. - great for the airports chances of attracting more l/h flights
The facelift of the Pier B Retail area continues, and part of the mezzaine food floor will now be accessable straight from 'the street' area.
The arrival of DLs additional JFK and ATL flights this year will presumably cause more problems to the already outgrown US Immigration area and affect morning stands availibility of Pier B.
Join Date: Aug 1999
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Runway "in early planning stages"?
Que? What the hell are they playing at? The runway should be well past the planning stage by now! This is appalling (although not necessarily surprising); someone needs a pitchfork in the rear. The sooner they bring in the likes of SATS (the crowd who run Changi) or someone similarly competent and take over mgmt of DUB the better. The schedule is slipping and the more it slips, the longer we're stuck with a runway that's 1500' too short.
Anyway, the following PQs were tabled last Wednesday, which should throw some light on the current situation. (Sorry about the double spacing in the response; it's just the way it copied.)
Dáil Question
No: 124, 150
*To ask the Minister for Transport the progress to date in 2006 in the
development of a second terminal at Dublin Airport; if this project can be
operational by 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Damien English. (Nominated by: Olivia Mitchell).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 1st February, 2006.
Ref No: 3337/06 Lottery: 16
*To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the
cost to develop pier D at Dublin Airport; if the authority has sought an
increase over that which has been sanctioned for this project; his views on
the need for this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Gerard Murphy. (Nominated by: Olivia Mitchell).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 1st February, 2006.
Ref No: 3336/06 Lottery: 43
Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Martin Cullen TD)
REPLY
I propose to take questions 124 and 150 together.
Under the Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) medium term plan for new infrastructural provision at Dublin Airport published last Autumn, a new
Terminal and associated pier facilities (Pier E) will be provided to the
South of the existing terminal. These facilities are due to come on stream
in 2009. The plan also provided for other capacity enhancements including
the provision of temporary pier facilities in 2006 and a permanent new
pier, Pier D, to be in place by late 2007. These new pier facilities will
deliver significant additional aircraft contact stands for fast turnaround
operations.
In relation to Terminal 2, I understand that the DAA has progressed with
the procurement of the Project Management and Design Teams for the project
and that the Authority will shortly announce the outcome of the bidding
process. Work will commence immediately on the planning application and in
this regard, preliminary consultation with Fingal County Council has already taken place. The DAA is working to the Government decision to have
the terminal operational by 2009.
The specification and cost of Terminal 2 will be independently verified by experts on behalf of the Government. Also, at the appropriate time, an independent body will manage an open tender competition to select an operator for the new terminal.
The cost of developing Pier D at Dublin Airport is an operational matter for the DAA. The final tender costs won’t be fully known until the Authority is in a position to place the procurement contract. I understand that the Authority is currently actively engaged in the procurement process for Pier D and expect that the process will be completed and a contract awarded within a matter of weeks. It is the intention of the DAA, that the new facility will be operational by late 2007.
Anyway, the following PQs were tabled last Wednesday, which should throw some light on the current situation. (Sorry about the double spacing in the response; it's just the way it copied.)
Dáil Question
No: 124, 150
*To ask the Minister for Transport the progress to date in 2006 in the
development of a second terminal at Dublin Airport; if this project can be
operational by 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Damien English. (Nominated by: Olivia Mitchell).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 1st February, 2006.
Ref No: 3337/06 Lottery: 16
*To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the
cost to develop pier D at Dublin Airport; if the authority has sought an
increase over that which has been sanctioned for this project; his views on
the need for this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Gerard Murphy. (Nominated by: Olivia Mitchell).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 1st February, 2006.
Ref No: 3336/06 Lottery: 43
Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Martin Cullen TD)
REPLY
I propose to take questions 124 and 150 together.
Under the Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) medium term plan for new infrastructural provision at Dublin Airport published last Autumn, a new
Terminal and associated pier facilities (Pier E) will be provided to the
South of the existing terminal. These facilities are due to come on stream
in 2009. The plan also provided for other capacity enhancements including
the provision of temporary pier facilities in 2006 and a permanent new
pier, Pier D, to be in place by late 2007. These new pier facilities will
deliver significant additional aircraft contact stands for fast turnaround
operations.
In relation to Terminal 2, I understand that the DAA has progressed with
the procurement of the Project Management and Design Teams for the project
and that the Authority will shortly announce the outcome of the bidding
process. Work will commence immediately on the planning application and in
this regard, preliminary consultation with Fingal County Council has already taken place. The DAA is working to the Government decision to have
the terminal operational by 2009.
The specification and cost of Terminal 2 will be independently verified by experts on behalf of the Government. Also, at the appropriate time, an independent body will manage an open tender competition to select an operator for the new terminal.
The cost of developing Pier D at Dublin Airport is an operational matter for the DAA. The final tender costs won’t be fully known until the Authority is in a position to place the procurement contract. I understand that the Authority is currently actively engaged in the procurement process for Pier D and expect that the process will be completed and a contract awarded within a matter of weeks. It is the intention of the DAA, that the new facility will be operational by late 2007.
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Boris
I agree about higher fares being necessary to maintain a viable and reliable service. I suppose Eastern is the nearest to Manx that we have, but just look at the yearly passenger figures on the routes they operate.
This policy of the IOM Govt of actively encouraging multiple airlines on routes from the IOM seems to me to be an overeaction to the situation that they were faced with during the first half of last year when there must have been the distinct possibilty that they could have lost the two main carriers to the Island, albeit for entirely different reasons.
Presumably, further retrenchment will follow, Man is the most obvious one but I think EM pulling off the Dublin route must give Arran encouragement to stick with it.
I agree about higher fares being necessary to maintain a viable and reliable service. I suppose Eastern is the nearest to Manx that we have, but just look at the yearly passenger figures on the routes they operate.
This policy of the IOM Govt of actively encouraging multiple airlines on routes from the IOM seems to me to be an overeaction to the situation that they were faced with during the first half of last year when there must have been the distinct possibilty that they could have lost the two main carriers to the Island, albeit for entirely different reasons.
Presumably, further retrenchment will follow, Man is the most obvious one but I think EM pulling off the Dublin route must give Arran encouragement to stick with it.
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There it is then, no delays with T2 etc as yet, timesales remain in place.
Anybody any news on new s/h flights for summer? Im still waiting for Aeroflot, what the hell is taking them so long!
Anybody any news on new s/h flights for summer? Im still waiting for Aeroflot, what the hell is taking them so long!
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.
euromanxed.....
HBB is currently away for a sheduled maintenance check....therfore we would need an aircraft to cover the schedule that bravo would have been doing.
And yes rj's have gone unfortantly and soon the 328's..but at least we will then be a single type fleet that will keep costs down.
So really..in my opinion..not really doing the full 360.
have a nice day collegue.
HBB is currently away for a sheduled maintenance check....therfore we would need an aircraft to cover the schedule that bravo would have been doing.
And yes rj's have gone unfortantly and soon the 328's..but at least we will then be a single type fleet that will keep costs down.
So really..in my opinion..not really doing the full 360.
have a nice day collegue.
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Tks 4 that clarification EMXdude,
though might have hoped EMX planned to use both Emerald's ATPs to fill the gaps. Comment on 360 alluded to returning to use of AirAtlantique/ic wet-leases, though I miss the occasional Air Wales ATRs..
Great idea to have a single craft fleet, a no-brainer.
So why didnt they do that at the outset,
instead of painting up 3 types in EMX c/s?
Ah well, all history now.
Fingers crossed they keep in air before my vouchers expire at Easter
though might have hoped EMX planned to use both Emerald's ATPs to fill the gaps. Comment on 360 alluded to returning to use of AirAtlantique/ic wet-leases, though I miss the occasional Air Wales ATRs..
Great idea to have a single craft fleet, a no-brainer.
So why didnt they do that at the outset,
instead of painting up 3 types in EMX c/s?
Ah well, all history now.
Fingers crossed they keep in air before my vouchers expire at Easter
Went through Dublin today to/from LCY.
It's Easter week. One of the busiest of the year. Big crowds for security etc.
Now whoever decided that it would be this week, of all weeks, that they would resurface the main dropoff road outside departures
The road planing machine was right there. Half the road width, that nearest the terminal, is all coned off from end to end with the surface planed off. Huge chaos a a result. Talk about non-joined up thinking.
It's Easter week. One of the busiest of the year. Big crowds for security etc.
Now whoever decided that it would be this week, of all weeks, that they would resurface the main dropoff road outside departures
The road planing machine was right there. Half the road width, that nearest the terminal, is all coned off from end to end with the surface planed off. Huge chaos a a result. Talk about non-joined up thinking.
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Fingal Co.Co. as granted planning permission for the 2nd runway.
http://www.rte.ie/business/2006/0412/dublin.html
Locals will appeal of course.
http://www.rte.ie/business/2006/0412/dublin.html
Locals will appeal of course.
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I still think it's absurd that we're stuck with such a short runway (8,650') for the next 6-7 years, without the slightest inclination to address this.
With Bertie and others going off to China, India and other places trying to build trade and with Asian carriers investing billions in new cargo aircraft (not to mention competition from new EU member states for that business), one can only wonder how many opportunities will be turned away? OK, EI can get away with a short runway for its A330s, but if they want to develop long haul routes seriously (or are they keeping it short just to protect EI?), they need to look at this.
Consider also that with fuel prices rising, not to mention environmental concerns, is it really a good idea that all long haul takeoffs will have to be at full welly (forgive the technical term!)?
Although I don't believe for a moment it will happen, the minister should take action on this; inform the DAA of its decision with a given timeframe (say Summer 2008) and if that's not met, get in a management team from SATS (Changi) or some other major airport mgmt team.
With Bertie and others going off to China, India and other places trying to build trade and with Asian carriers investing billions in new cargo aircraft (not to mention competition from new EU member states for that business), one can only wonder how many opportunities will be turned away? OK, EI can get away with a short runway for its A330s, but if they want to develop long haul routes seriously (or are they keeping it short just to protect EI?), they need to look at this.
Consider also that with fuel prices rising, not to mention environmental concerns, is it really a good idea that all long haul takeoffs will have to be at full welly (forgive the technical term!)?
Although I don't believe for a moment it will happen, the minister should take action on this; inform the DAA of its decision with a given timeframe (say Summer 2008) and if that's not met, get in a management team from SATS (Changi) or some other major airport mgmt team.
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Dublin
A guys,hold on a minute,
The transport infrastucture of the country among a lot of other things,especially anything to do with aviation is in the ****s and Bertie and the boys are out in India blowing their own trumpet and ramming down peoples throats about how Ireland is the economic jewel of europe and should be studied and copied by other emerging nations,SIPTU must have given him time off for good behavior, but Bertie will use his usual bull**** charm to bamboozle people,because the likes of him has inflickted us with a stigma of "Nudge Nudge,Wink,Wink sure what do you expect w'ere Irish,sure a'rnt we great craic,we always sing a song at a party". Meanwhile the political appointees at DAA fumble around with their grown up lego set to produce a portacabin pier ,albeit a temporary solution,but temporary solutions at Dublin Airport have a habit of becoming permanent structures and yippeeee we got planning permission for a second runway and it will be 500 meters longer than the existing runway,by the time this is built it will be to short and there is no truth in the rumour that the DAA has considered fitting a ski jump to the main runway at Dublin Airport as a temporary solution.
The transport infrastucture of the country among a lot of other things,especially anything to do with aviation is in the ****s and Bertie and the boys are out in India blowing their own trumpet and ramming down peoples throats about how Ireland is the economic jewel of europe and should be studied and copied by other emerging nations,SIPTU must have given him time off for good behavior, but Bertie will use his usual bull**** charm to bamboozle people,because the likes of him has inflickted us with a stigma of "Nudge Nudge,Wink,Wink sure what do you expect w'ere Irish,sure a'rnt we great craic,we always sing a song at a party". Meanwhile the political appointees at DAA fumble around with their grown up lego set to produce a portacabin pier ,albeit a temporary solution,but temporary solutions at Dublin Airport have a habit of becoming permanent structures and yippeeee we got planning permission for a second runway and it will be 500 meters longer than the existing runway,by the time this is built it will be to short and there is no truth in the rumour that the DAA has considered fitting a ski jump to the main runway at Dublin Airport as a temporary solution.
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Now whoever decided that it would be this week, of all weeks, that they would resurface the main dropoff road outside departures
The road planing machine was right there. Half the road width, that nearest the terminal, is all coned off from end to end with the surface planed off. Huge chaos a a result. Talk about non-joined up thinking.
The road planing machine was right there. Half the road width, that nearest the terminal, is all coned off from end to end with the surface planed off. Huge chaos a a result. Talk about non-joined up thinking.
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I'm not going to hold my breath!!!
With the way the "new" departure road has been working, I fear it's only going to be a matter of a short period of time before an excited child that gets away from it's harassed parents is killed in the shambles that is effectively the only road entrance AND exit to the airport, as all private vehicles are banned from the arrival level.
It was bad before they took out the centre divide, it's far worse now, and made worse by their complete inability to think in 3 dimensions, and separate foot passengers and road traffic. The pedestrian crossing in the middle of the setdown area is a nightmare to use and makes it even more shambolic. The first and essential move would be to get the pedestrian traffic that's coming from the multi storey car park separated from the road traffic. The other would be to make it a LOT easier for traffic that's exiting the airport to avoid the terminal road completely, there is way too much "through" traffic that has no business on the set down road in the first place.
There is no way that the present road system is workable any more. There is no way to fix the unfixable, and as far as I'm concerned, what needs to happen now as a matter of extreme urgency is complex, but doable.
ALL staff parking in the multi storey short term car park should be banned, permanently. NO staff, non negotiable, in that car park. Parking for longer than 24 hours for all other than disabled should be priced to the stratosphere, and ONLY available in the C section above level 3, to free up spaces that would then be available for what it's meant to be, a SHORT term car park. Too many times now, I have been unable to get anywhere even close to the terminal with my elderly frail father in law, and level 4 or 5 in the C section is no good for someone who's mobility is severely limited. He can't be dropped off on departures and left to fend for himself, so I have to park up and escort him in. That's not funny from the C section of the multi storey, and trying to get into the disabled section just doesn't happen, it's always full, and there's never any spaces or even a set down area close to the entrance to the terminal.
A LUAS style tram system from the long term car parks, both DAA and competitive organisations, is needed yesterday. Once it's installed, majority of cars be "encouraged" to drop off and collect from new redesigned and appropriate satellite locations at the external car parks, unless dealing with disabled. Before the tram, how about a drop off zone at the long stay, with free bus transfers, and a sensible way to get in and out of that area, so that the car traffic in the terminal area can be reduced.
DAA needs to be "encouraged", by pressure from people that do know what they are doing, to work to get Dublin operating as the major international airport that it is supposed to be, rather than being Ireland's largest pub and shopping Mall, which is what it seems to be trying to be at the moment.
There are so many areas that need urgent attention that it's no longer funny, and there is a total absence of any forward thinking or even joined up thinking to resolve the ongoing major shortcomings that have been apparent for years. The new runway only being 500 Ft longer than the existing one only serves to indicate just how short term they are in their thinking.
It's not just confined to landside. There are fundamental issues airside as well, related to many areas, such as buses to get passengers in from remote stands. Last time I checked, not long ago, FR, who self handle, did not have any servicable buses to get passengers in from remote stands if they can't get a stand on the A pier. The buses used by Servisair are a disgrace, Aer Lingus are doing their best to get rid of their buses, and Aviance had very few in use. Sky Handling have reasonable quality buses, but they dont handle that many of the larger aircraft that need significant numbers of buses to deal with them. DAA has nothing.
The relatively new C pier was so badly thought out, they can't use all of the jetways at the same time for wide bodies, there's not enough space to get them in, and mornings are now a severe pressure period with the number of wide bodies being operated both by schedule carriers and charter operators. The B & C pier can't cope now with the demand, and we're nowhere near the summer peak, EI are already having to delay departures from SNN to DUB now due to lack of space for them at DUB.
DAA are not checking that the handling agents have sufficient equipment to handle the flights they are contracting for. Some while back, one of the main handling agents were contracted for 7 wide bodies at the same time on a Sunday morning, and they were supposed to be able to do that with 5 high loaders, and 6 sets of wide body steps. That's very hard to do when some of them require 2 sets of steps, and at least 2 of the 7 flights required more than one high loader to meet the agreed turnround time.
It was a regular occurence that one or more of the charter flights were delayed by up to an hour, sometimes more, before the bags were offloaded, which caused huge problems to the arriving passengers waiting for bags.
OK, in theory, that's a handling agent issue, but DAA as the airport operator has a responsibility to ensure that the handlers can meet what they have contracted for.
There's plenty of other issues in a similar vein, but DAA has it's head so far up it's rear where operational issues are concerned, it's not going to change for years to come, if ever.
IF DUB is to meet the requirement to be capable of meeting the passenger AND freight requirement in the next 10 years, some very urgent changes in thinking are needed NOW, and some unpopular decisions are going to have to be made by both DAA and the Government.
The traffic in the airport area is already chaotic at times, and just to make it even worse, the Govt has agreed that a MASSIVE IKEA is going to be built less than 2 miles from the airport, and that's going to suck in even more traffic, especially at weekends. Add a match at Croke Park, and the M1 & M50 are going to be gridlocked for hours. Clever? Not really, but that's the level of forward thinking and planning that we're stuck with. Rail link to the airport. With the way things happen here, I doubt I will see that in my lifetime, and I'm still some way from retiring age, to clarify, the M50 had been route planned before I started working in Ireland in 1986, and the last section was only opened this year, 20 YEARS later, and it's already way overloaded and inadequately designed. The port tunnel is due to open later this year, which will mean massive numbers of HGV's also passing very close to the airport, putting even more pressure on the road system.
There's plenty of other issues, but while the politicians are spending all their time worrying about keeping their seats, and where the next brown envelope is coming from, the serious and contentious issues are ignored, or put off until just after a general election, in the hope that by the time the next one comes, their mistakes will have been forgotten about.
All in all, the chances for a vibrant and functioning airport at DUB are probably about as good as the chances of Ireland winning the World Cup
It was bad before they took out the centre divide, it's far worse now, and made worse by their complete inability to think in 3 dimensions, and separate foot passengers and road traffic. The pedestrian crossing in the middle of the setdown area is a nightmare to use and makes it even more shambolic. The first and essential move would be to get the pedestrian traffic that's coming from the multi storey car park separated from the road traffic. The other would be to make it a LOT easier for traffic that's exiting the airport to avoid the terminal road completely, there is way too much "through" traffic that has no business on the set down road in the first place.
There is no way that the present road system is workable any more. There is no way to fix the unfixable, and as far as I'm concerned, what needs to happen now as a matter of extreme urgency is complex, but doable.
ALL staff parking in the multi storey short term car park should be banned, permanently. NO staff, non negotiable, in that car park. Parking for longer than 24 hours for all other than disabled should be priced to the stratosphere, and ONLY available in the C section above level 3, to free up spaces that would then be available for what it's meant to be, a SHORT term car park. Too many times now, I have been unable to get anywhere even close to the terminal with my elderly frail father in law, and level 4 or 5 in the C section is no good for someone who's mobility is severely limited. He can't be dropped off on departures and left to fend for himself, so I have to park up and escort him in. That's not funny from the C section of the multi storey, and trying to get into the disabled section just doesn't happen, it's always full, and there's never any spaces or even a set down area close to the entrance to the terminal.
A LUAS style tram system from the long term car parks, both DAA and competitive organisations, is needed yesterday. Once it's installed, majority of cars be "encouraged" to drop off and collect from new redesigned and appropriate satellite locations at the external car parks, unless dealing with disabled. Before the tram, how about a drop off zone at the long stay, with free bus transfers, and a sensible way to get in and out of that area, so that the car traffic in the terminal area can be reduced.
DAA needs to be "encouraged", by pressure from people that do know what they are doing, to work to get Dublin operating as the major international airport that it is supposed to be, rather than being Ireland's largest pub and shopping Mall, which is what it seems to be trying to be at the moment.
There are so many areas that need urgent attention that it's no longer funny, and there is a total absence of any forward thinking or even joined up thinking to resolve the ongoing major shortcomings that have been apparent for years. The new runway only being 500 Ft longer than the existing one only serves to indicate just how short term they are in their thinking.
It's not just confined to landside. There are fundamental issues airside as well, related to many areas, such as buses to get passengers in from remote stands. Last time I checked, not long ago, FR, who self handle, did not have any servicable buses to get passengers in from remote stands if they can't get a stand on the A pier. The buses used by Servisair are a disgrace, Aer Lingus are doing their best to get rid of their buses, and Aviance had very few in use. Sky Handling have reasonable quality buses, but they dont handle that many of the larger aircraft that need significant numbers of buses to deal with them. DAA has nothing.
The relatively new C pier was so badly thought out, they can't use all of the jetways at the same time for wide bodies, there's not enough space to get them in, and mornings are now a severe pressure period with the number of wide bodies being operated both by schedule carriers and charter operators. The B & C pier can't cope now with the demand, and we're nowhere near the summer peak, EI are already having to delay departures from SNN to DUB now due to lack of space for them at DUB.
DAA are not checking that the handling agents have sufficient equipment to handle the flights they are contracting for. Some while back, one of the main handling agents were contracted for 7 wide bodies at the same time on a Sunday morning, and they were supposed to be able to do that with 5 high loaders, and 6 sets of wide body steps. That's very hard to do when some of them require 2 sets of steps, and at least 2 of the 7 flights required more than one high loader to meet the agreed turnround time.
It was a regular occurence that one or more of the charter flights were delayed by up to an hour, sometimes more, before the bags were offloaded, which caused huge problems to the arriving passengers waiting for bags.
OK, in theory, that's a handling agent issue, but DAA as the airport operator has a responsibility to ensure that the handlers can meet what they have contracted for.
There's plenty of other issues in a similar vein, but DAA has it's head so far up it's rear where operational issues are concerned, it's not going to change for years to come, if ever.
IF DUB is to meet the requirement to be capable of meeting the passenger AND freight requirement in the next 10 years, some very urgent changes in thinking are needed NOW, and some unpopular decisions are going to have to be made by both DAA and the Government.
The traffic in the airport area is already chaotic at times, and just to make it even worse, the Govt has agreed that a MASSIVE IKEA is going to be built less than 2 miles from the airport, and that's going to suck in even more traffic, especially at weekends. Add a match at Croke Park, and the M1 & M50 are going to be gridlocked for hours. Clever? Not really, but that's the level of forward thinking and planning that we're stuck with. Rail link to the airport. With the way things happen here, I doubt I will see that in my lifetime, and I'm still some way from retiring age, to clarify, the M50 had been route planned before I started working in Ireland in 1986, and the last section was only opened this year, 20 YEARS later, and it's already way overloaded and inadequately designed. The port tunnel is due to open later this year, which will mean massive numbers of HGV's also passing very close to the airport, putting even more pressure on the road system.
There's plenty of other issues, but while the politicians are spending all their time worrying about keeping their seats, and where the next brown envelope is coming from, the serious and contentious issues are ignored, or put off until just after a general election, in the hope that by the time the next one comes, their mistakes will have been forgotten about.
All in all, the chances for a vibrant and functioning airport at DUB are probably about as good as the chances of Ireland winning the World Cup
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A LUAS style tram system from the long term car parks, both DAA and competitive organisations, is needed yesterday. Once it's installed, majority of cars be "encouraged" to drop off and collect from new redesigned and appropriate satellite locations at the external car parks, unless dealing with disabled. Before the tram, how about a drop off zone at the long stay, with free bus transfers, and a sensible way to get in and out of that area, so that the car traffic in the terminal area can be reduced.
Also Bertie's little 1916 parade will mean getting to the airport from the city centre tomorrow is going to be a nightmare due to the said lack of rail link. Bienvenue a Irlande...
It's not just confined to landside. There are fundamental issues airside as well, related to many areas, such as buses to get passengers in from remote stands.
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Interesting article in the Sunday Times re Dub's ongoing issues.
€8m on Dublin airport ‘bridge’
Brian Carey
THE Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is to spend €8m on a 250- metre elevated glass walkway allowing passengers access to the new Pier D extension at the capital’s airport.
The decision was forced on the DAA after An Taisce objected to an alternative path through the old terminal building at the airport. The added expense will bring the total cost of the extension to €120m.
The Pier D extension is situated at the far side of the iconic old terminal, a listed building. Desmond FitzGerald, a brother of former taoiseach Garrett FitzGerald, designed the terminal, which now houses the headquarters of the DAA.
It is understood that Catherine FitzGerald, a daughter of the architect, also expressed reservations about making any alterations to the building.
The original planning permission for Pier D included the walkway but the airport authorities reconsidered the option after it faced accusations from airline users, notably Michael O’Leary of Ryanair, that it was “gold plating” facilities to get higher airport charges.
The Pier D extension will open in autumn 2007. The extension will be capable of handling 10m passengers a year.
The cost of the glass walkway will not be passed on to airlines, however, as the DAA has only been “allowed” to recoup €75m of the total construction costs through landing charges.
€8m on Dublin airport ‘bridge’
Brian Carey
THE Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is to spend €8m on a 250- metre elevated glass walkway allowing passengers access to the new Pier D extension at the capital’s airport.
The decision was forced on the DAA after An Taisce objected to an alternative path through the old terminal building at the airport. The added expense will bring the total cost of the extension to €120m.
The Pier D extension is situated at the far side of the iconic old terminal, a listed building. Desmond FitzGerald, a brother of former taoiseach Garrett FitzGerald, designed the terminal, which now houses the headquarters of the DAA.
It is understood that Catherine FitzGerald, a daughter of the architect, also expressed reservations about making any alterations to the building.
The original planning permission for Pier D included the walkway but the airport authorities reconsidered the option after it faced accusations from airline users, notably Michael O’Leary of Ryanair, that it was “gold plating” facilities to get higher airport charges.
The Pier D extension will open in autumn 2007. The extension will be capable of handling 10m passengers a year.
The cost of the glass walkway will not be passed on to airlines, however, as the DAA has only been “allowed” to recoup €75m of the total construction costs through landing charges.