Dublin Airport runway closure sparks resident anger over night flights

Dublin airport intends to shut its south runway for five consecutive nights from next Monday, April 20, to facilitate maintenance works. File photo

Local residents have raised concerns about “utter torture” they say they will face after Dublin Airport announced it will close a runway for essential maintenance for the fifth time in nine months.

The airport plans to close its south runway for five consecutive nights from next Monday, April 20, to facilitate maintenance works.

This means all night-time traffic will be diverted to the airport’s newer north runway, with flights travelling over nearby homes that would not normally be subject to overnight aircraft noise.

In a statement, airport operator Daa said it is “conscious that runway operations during this essential maintenance period will result in an increase in noise levels for some local residents, and we will endeavour to complete the works safely as quickly as possible in order to minimise impact”.

It is at least the fifth time since last August that the south runway has been closed for maintenance.

Most recently, last month, the runway was closed for three days following emergency repair works required due to damage caused by persistent heavy rain.

Local resident and spokesperson for the St Margaret’s–The Ward residents’ group, Liam O’Gradaigh, described nights when the north runway is used for flights as being “torture, utter torture”.

Ordinarily, the north runway, which first handled flights in August 2022, is not used for night flights between 11pm and 7am to minimise disruption to residents.

However, planning permission allows its use during exceptional circumstances.

“It happens something like 9 times a year, though it does appear to be happening more often,” Mr O’Gradaigh said.

“It generally lasts for 4 nights in a row, and it just means that all flights are going off the north runway, and when that happens the jets are flying over houses that haven’t been noise-insulate. It is torture, all night long, utter torture,” he said. “You just have to grin and bear it.”

Daa had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.

“The reasons given are generally very vague — for cutting grass, or repainting things,” Mr O’Gradaigh said. “But no one really knows what they’re doing.”

In a statement announcing the closure, daa said the works will include “delethalisation works, runway surface maintenance, grassland management and painting of critical safety markings”.

Dublin Airport’s north runway has been the subject of controversy since it opened four years ago, primarily due to aircraft using different flight paths over residential areas than those outlined in the original 2007 planning decision.