The Dublin Airport Authority has told the Government the completion of the second terminal could be seriously delayed if Ryanair succeeds in getting a judicial review of the project.
In a meeting with the Department of Transport, the authority highlighted the implications of a legal challenge by Ryanair, RTE News has learned. The authority maintains the project is badly needed to address overcrowding.
Dublin Airport Authority hopes to have the second terminal built by the end of 2009. But documents obtained by RTE News under the Freedom of Information Act show that the authority is deeply concerned about the implications of a Ryanair legal action.
It is understood that the airline is prepared to seek a judicial review of the decision to allow the second terminal proceed.
Ryanair, which is the airport's largest customer, believes the terminal is too big and too expensive. It is currently appealing the decision to give the terminal planning permission to An Bord Pleanála. If the airline fails to block the project through the planning process it will go to the courts.
A spokesman for the DAA said the airport badly needed more capacity as it catered for 21 million people last year. He added that if Ryanair succeeded in delaying the project all passengers would suffer.
In a statement, Ryanair said it would continue to oppose what it called 'the gold plated €609m second terminal' proposed at Dublin Airport. The airline claimed the terminal costs 10 times more than similar-sized facilities being provided at other airports in Europe and will lead to passenger charges doubling at Dublin Airport.
