Dublin Airport have refused a request by low-cost airline Ryanair to open all security lanes at Terminal 1 throughout the Christmas period.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary had raised concerns over the expected rise in passenger traffic over the festive period and the airport’s ability to handle it.
Mt O’Leary says that he expects passenger numbers to be 13% up on 2019 levels, however Dublin Airport says it believes the number to be similar to 2019 levels, not higher.
DAA Interim Chief Executive Catherine Gubbins said: “While some individual airlines may be slightly above or below their respective 2019 passenger levels, we do not expect passenger numbers to be considerably in excess of 2019 levels during the period overall.”
Mr O’Leary had said that all 14 security lanes at Terminal 1, which it uses, should be staffed around the clock this Christmas.
Mr O’Leary raised his concerns with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport.
“We are concerned that there may be security shortages and staffing shortages this Christmas, and if they don’t recruit now in significant numbers,” he said.
“They’re talking actually about taking out existing lanes to put in 3D scanners which will reduce security capacity at Dublin Airport. If you’re going to put in 3D scanners, they need to be as additional lanes.
“We’re not out of the woods yet and we are very concerned about the Dublin Airport staffing this Christmas.”
His concerns prompted Committee Chairman Kieran O’Donnell to urgently seek clarity from the DAA.
In a letter of response, Ms Gubbins said: “In order to determine the number of security lanes that will ultimately be required within its security screening areas at any given point in time, Dublin Airport looks at detailed hour-by-hour passenger forecasts for both Terminals 1 and 2.
“On this basis, the number of lanes which are open in each of the terminals during any given day varies continuously, subject to the level of passenger demand expected.
“It is therefore not necessary or efficient to have all security lanes in the terminals open at all times.”
Ms Gubbins looked to reassure both the Committee and passengers that Dublin Airport was ready to meet the Christmas travel demand with a “significant” amount of planning going on behind the scenes.
“Our full focus is now on continuing to build on this strong performance over the busy Christmas period ahead,” said Ms Gubbins
“The DAA also remains in continuous contact with our airline partners with respect to their forecasted passenger numbers for the Christmas period,” she added.
