The provision of a second airport for Dublin has been considered many times over the past thirty years with proposals even once put forward by Tony Ryan. Despite government ministers, local councils and economic assessments advocating the benefits of Baldonnel’s development, proposals have never gained traction. Given the surging popularity of Dublin Airport as a transit hub and the growing population of the city and surrounds, Martin O’Connell Associates undertook a high level assessment of what a redeveloped facility might look like and how it fits into its expanding surrounds.
The suburbs of west Dublin and surrounds are home to some of the fastest growing and densest settlements in Ireland. Nearby industries and points of interest include business parks, logistics centres, the Citywest convention centre, the K Club and a number of racecourses including the Curragh and Punchestown. With the advent of the Luas and a major upgrade of the N7 in the past decade, transportation links have vastly improved enabling good access to the city and the west of Ireland. Meanwhile, Dublin Airport has also transformed and become a leading north Atlantic hub. But with that popularity has come congestion in the terminal and on the apron.
The report discusses the potential for point-to-point UK and near-Europe travel, opportunities to develop a freight and logistics hub, promoting local tourism and rekindling the area’s once thriving MRO industry. Sufficient land exists within the aerodrome’s boundary to develop a terminal and associated infrastructure while at the same time, with some investment to the airfield’s existing infrastructure, flights to the UK, the Iberian Peninsula and central Europe could be accommodated without a runway extension. The report also discusses the benefits such a development might bring to the Defence Forces where a joint military and civilian tenancy, common in countries such as Spain and The Netherlands, could act as a valuable revenue stream for the state and safeguard the operational resilience of the Air Corps.
The examination of Baldonnel has also been undertaken with an eye to the future. Although the very concept of a new airport may seem anathema to the modern environmental movement, the opportunity exists to build a world class facility and accommodate aircraft of the future. Ireland is the home of global aviation finance and, as an island nation, aviation is at the core of our ability to project globally. By embracing the changes that lie ahead, we have an opportunity to set a new standard for airport development and influence short haul travel of the future
Summary of key points
- Historical perspective of Baldonnel and its surrounds examined
- High-level assessment of economic viability incl. joint military / civil ops.
- Appraisal of existing and required infrastructure
- Proposals on plan for new terminal and landside acces