Dublin Airport's new runway 'will bring 7,000 new jobs', says DAA

The Dublin Airport Authority is to build a new runway.

Seven thousand new jobs are to be created at Dublin Airport when a new runway is completed in 2020.

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is to build the new runway, which will be 1.6 kms north of the existing and main runway at Dublin Airport.

It will cost €320m and is expected to be delivered in 2020. Some 1,200 jobs will be supported during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in 2017.

Dublin Airport received planning permission in August 2007 for the new runway, but the plans were put on hold due to the recession.

Chief executive of the DAA Kevin Toland said the new runway was critical - not just for Dublin airport, but for the overall development of the economy.

"This will create 1,200 jobs during the construction period, with 7,000 at the end of it," he said.

"We're growing very quickly, with growth three times faster than the rest of the EU. With that growth comes the challenge of bringing on capacity for the future."

The DAA operates Dublin and Cork airports.

Dublin Airport saw a 15% rise in passenger numbers last year, growing to more than 25 million passengers.