The DAA has received the go-ahead to adjust the plans for its €320m new runway at Dublin Airport.
Contractors for DAA began construction work last year on the runway and work is well advanced on the project, which the DAA claims will drive some €2.2bn of economic activity.
In appeal documentation lodged with the appeals board, Director of Safety and Technical with IALPA, Capt John Goss, argued that the DAA planning application was “contrary to proper industry runway design”.
IALPA also claimed that Fingal County Council failed to consider proper runway design and the long-term capacity and sustainability of the northern runway in making the decision to grant permission.
However, in its decision, the appeals board has found that the “proposed physical amendments to the permitted development would be acceptable in terms of proper planning and sustainable development”.
The DAA stated that the proposed amendments are required in order to comply with new standards introduced in 2017.
The group also stated that the full details of the planning application were shared with the relevant department within the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which raised no issues in relation to safety.
Construction work is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2021, to be followed by a period of testing and commissioning expected to last about nine months.
Dublin Airport confirmed this week that passenger numbers are down by up to 60% in response to the coronavirus outbreak with most flights at the airport catering for people returning home, including travellers from continental Europe.
