Ryanair apply to build air terminal

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary has applied to build and operate a €150 million terminal at Dublin Airport.

Thirteen private sector bidders have expressed an interest to the Government in developing the proposed second terminal.

Along with Ryanair, British airline Cityjet, who currently fly from Dublin, also responded to the Government's invitation to develop the project. The Government wants a private sector consortium to design, build and operate the new terminal.

The Ryanair bid envisages spending 150m on the terminal to cater for 12 million passengers a year the same number that fly through Dublin at the moment. The majority of the 13 bidders are consortiums of construction companies, architects and airport management companies.

The expressions of interest will now be examined by Transport Minister Seamus Brennan's officials and, if the Government decides to proceed with the project, the terminal will then go to tender. Bidders in the tendering process would not have to express an interest at this point. It is envisaged that flights could begin taking off from Terminal 2 by late 2004 or early 2005.

Last night a spokesman for Mr Brennan said the response from the private sector was encouraging: "We set out to see if there was interest in the market for this project and obviously that is the case."

Aer Rianta is still progressing with its plans to build Pier D, geared for low-cost airlines, adjoining the existing airport. Planning permission for the project was approved by Fingal County Council but is now being appealed to An Bord Pleanála.