Aer Lingus has spoken out against the additional landing slots set to be introduced at Dublin Airport.
The airline has warned that the new landing slots, set to be introduced next summer, could affect its on-time performance and take away from the overall passenger experience and has urged the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) not to make additional capacity available between 6am and 7am for the season.
However, the IAA has said it has “not been convinced” by the airline’s argument that it should retain the early-morning coordination parameters that were in use this summer and has confirmed that it will add 25 more take-off and landing slots each day during next summer’s season, which runs from March to October.
Steve Ronald, Aer Lingus’ Director of Schedules told the IAA: “We believe the decision to increase arrivals in this hour does not adequately account for the operational risks identified.”
He said there are constraints on aircraft parking stands, even after a planning decision was made during the summer that allowed use of Dublin Airport’s second runway from 6am onwards.
Meanwhile, Ryanair has described the additional runway and terminal capacity being made available next summer as “a necessary and welcome development”, saying: “It aligns with the national aviation policy and supports the growth and connectivity objectives of Dublin Airport.”
