DAA awards €265m contract to build underpass tunnel at Dublin Airport 

Joint venture of Sacyr Ireland and Wills Bros scheduled for completion by August 2030 

Representatives of Sacyr Ireland, Wills Bros, and Daa at the confirmation of the €265m contract to construct the new West Apron Vehicle Underpass at Dublin Airport.

A €265m contract to construct the new West Apron Vehicle Underpass at Dublin Airport has been awarded to a joint venture of Sacyr Ireland and Wills Bros. 

The project, which is scheduled for completion by August 2030, will see the construction of a 1.1km subterranean twin-cell tunnel connecting Pier 3 at Dublin Airport to the West Apron. The underpass will pass beneath key operational areas, including one runway and four taxiways.

The underpass will provide a dedicated route for airside vehicles — such as cargo operators, fuel bowsers, tugs, loaders, steps, and catering trucks — between the West Apron and the Eastern Campus, where most airport services and facilities are located.

“This underpass is about keeping people safe and keeping the airport moving," said DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs. "It’s a critical piece of infrastructure that’ll make a big difference — cutting travel times, boosting efficiency, and future-proofing the place as we grow. It’s the right project, at the right time, with the right team to deliver it.” 

The need for the underpass has become increasingly urgent following the opening of the new North Runway at Dublin Airport in August 2022. 

The Irish Aviation Authority has confirmed apron vehicles can no longer cross runway 16/34. Without the underpass, vehicle access to the West Apron is forced to go around the runway, impacting time-critical operations.

The new design allows for one lane to remain open in the event of maintenance or an incident in the other. 

“The West Apron Vehicle Underpass will not only enhance our operational efficiency but also ensure a seamless experience for our passengers and aviation partners at Dublin Airport," said DAA chief commercial and development officer Vincent Harrison.

In July, the Supreme Court rejected a final attempt by Ryanair to stop the construction of the proposed cargo underpass. Ryanair had argued An Bord Pleanála did not recognise the proposed development was inconsistent with the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan, as it requires the loss of two aircraft stands.