Airport's extension to be unveiled

Dublin Airport’s impressive new €120m extension will be opened today.

Capable of handling around 10 million passengers a year, Pier D will provide 14 new aircraft stands helping to ease congestion at the cramped facility.

The two-storey extension covers 15,000 square metres, is the length of three football pitches, houses 12 gate lounges and one business lounge and has separate arrivals and departure areas.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will attend the opening ceremony.

Pier D is connected to the existing terminal building by a dramatic, curved 350m feature known as skybridge which allows passengers a bird’s-eye view over the runway and airfield.

Designed by architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill it is glass-walled and also overlooks the old terminal.

The skybridge replaces the heavily criticised prefabricated walkway to temporary boarding gates, used by both arriving and departing Ryanair passengers, who mingle freely. Pier D will allow for segregation.

Passengers using Pier D will also access a new Garda National Immigration Lounge at passport control.

Construction teams are also on the airport site to demolish the formerly listed Corballis House to make way for the new Terminal 2.

This work, along with the realignment of existing roads to serve the new terminal and a new runway, is expected to lead to disruption and delays over the coming years.