Ryanair calls on planning board to reject T2

Budget airline Ryanair has today called on An Bord Pleanala to reject the DAA’s plans for a second terminal at Dublin Airport.

The terminal, which the airline has dubbed “the Taj Mahal T2” is 10 times more expensive than similar sized terminals elsewhere in Europe, according to Ryanair.

“Ryanair calls on An Bord Pleanala to reject the DAA planning application for an €800m T2 in the wrong place, at the wrong cost with the wrong design,” said Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary.

“We call on the DAA to revert to their original 2005 proposal for a €200m T2.

“Alternatively Ryanair renews its offer to build a competing T2 (with a 15m annual passenger capacity) at no cost to the DAA, which will lead to better service and lower passenger charges at Dublin airport, instead of doubling the current charges which is what the regulator has now confirmed will happen if the DAA’s Taj Mahal goes ahead.

“The DAA claims to be Arsenal, not Accrington Stanley. However, even Arsenal didn’t allow the cost of their new stadium to quadruple (as the DAA have from €200m to €800m) and Arsenal certainly didn’t double their ticket prices, which is what the DAA plan to do if their €800m T2 is allowed to go ahead.”