Aer Lingus has described as unworkable proposals contained in a draft decision from An Bord Pleanála (ABP) in relation to changes to the use of the second main runway at Dublin Airport at night.
The airline said if implemented the plan would severely reduce the permitted number of night flights and have an extremely detrimental impact on the airport as a hub.
Earlier this week the planning board issued the draft decision on an appeal against the granting of permission to airport operator daa to have the runway’s hours of use at night extended.
The board has proposed extending normal operating hours for the runway by two hours, from 7am to 6am in the morning and from 11pm to midnight at night.
The proposal would also allow for the removal of the cap on the number of flights permitted between 11pm and 7am and its replacement with an annual night-time noise quota between 11.30pm and 6am.
The original planning condition restricted the average number of night-time aircraft movements at Dublin Airport to 65 per night between 11pm and 7am.
However, An Bord Pleanála also proposes an annual limit of 13,000 aircraft movements between 11pm and 6:59am, with 3,900 of those in the winter and 9,100 in the summer.
It also said that the north runway should only be used for departures between 6am and 8am.
Aer Lingus said it has begun a detailed review of the draft proposals.
“However, Aer Lingus’ initial review of ABP’s draft decision indicates that an entirely new and unworkable restriction severely reducing the permitted number of night flights is now proposed,” it warned.
“Such a new restriction would fundamentally undermine the modern Noise Quota System which was approved by ANCA to replace the existing aircraft movement restriction.”
It added that it would have an extremely detrimental impact upon Dublin Airport as a hub airport, the traveling public, air connectivity to the island of Ireland, jobs and the delivery of the National Aviation Policy.
“It would also have significant negative implications for any future growth and connectivity through Dublin Airport and would undermine the €320m investment made in the new North Runway,” it claimed.
The airline said it will now undertake a comprehensive assessment of the full implications of ABP’s draft decision and make a formal submission as part of the consultation process.
Yesterday, daa said the draft decision would be a “backward step.”
However, some local residents have expressed a guarded welcome for some of the proposed measures.
Many of those who live close to the airport or under the flight path have expressed concern about the prospect of night time flight hours being extended.
