Plans for Third Terminal at Dublin Airport submitted to Fingal County Council

Concept plans for the proposed future development of a third terminal at Dublin Airport have been submitted.

D.A. Terminal 3 Ltd., the company established by Des and Ulick McEvaddy for the future development of a third terminal, has submitted its initial Concept Plan to Fingal County Council.

In the plan, the company sets out a vision for the development of a third terminal at Dublin Airport as part of the new Western Campus project, which will become an essential component of transport infrastructure for the future of Irish travel.

A CGI of the proposed Terminal Three at Dublin Airport

The Concept Plan for the Western Campus and Terminal 3 has been informed by and is fully compliant with Fingal County Council’s adopted strategy for Dublin Airport, as outlined in the Fingal Development Plan 2023 to 2029 and the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan 2020.

The concept plan for the Western Campus at Dublin Airport includes plans for a third terminal, which will optimise an existing runway and terminal capacity, car parks, a logistics park, a cargo terminal, a hotel as well as office space.

The McEvaddys said the proposed development would be situated between the two runways at the airport, adding that the land is the ideal optimum location for the campus and a new airport terminal.

A key factor of the plan is access to the airport, they said.

They also said the project is a significant step beyond the short-term thinking around current passenger numbers and presents a long-term sustainable solution that will deliver both an acceptable and excellent standard for personal and commercial aviation needs.

The new Concept Plan is fully compliant with Fingal County Council’s adopted strategy for Dublin Airport, as outlined in the Fingal Development Plan 2023 to 2029 and the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan 2020.

As well as a world-class terminal building, the Western Campus will entail a cargo terminal, hotel, ample car parking and office space.

“There is a lot of discussion around increasing the passenger cap to forty million passengers, but this is short-sighted and lacks vision for future needs,” said a spokesperson for D. A. Terminal 3 Ltd.

“The fact is that Dublin airport needs a strategy based on the reality of what is to come.

“We are looking at a masterplan that not only meets the needs of the travelling public, but with the development of the Western Campus, a significant economic hub for Fingal and Dublin.”

“The spend anticipated by the DAA for its proposed developments and increasing the capacity by a mere twenty per cent is €2.2 billion.

“For approximately the same spend on a new terminal building, we will double the capacity.”

“Dublin Airport is a vital gateway for Ireland’s connectivity, and as air travel continues to grow, it is essential that we have the infrastructure in place to meet the demands of the future.

“Terminal 3 is not just a building; it will be a strategic investment in Ireland’s connectivity and in the efficiency of our airport.

“With our plan, Dublin Airport can become a global aviation hub and a major centre for commercial activity.” said the spokesperson.

“Any Irish traveller familiar with airports around the world will testify that Dublin Airport falls well short of acceptable standards.

“It is crammed and there are queues everywhere.

“There are ongoing issues around cleanliness.

“The short-sighted plans that have been developed by DAA lack any clear vision or strategy and are a disservice to the Irish travelling public.

“The time has come for a reality check and this expansion will not only accommodate the increasing number of passengers, but it will also enhance the overall travel experience.

“We have the solution,” he concluded.

The consultant team engaged by D. A. Terminal 3 Ltd. is CWPA, planning and architects and consulting engineers, Waterman Moylan.

Fran Whelan, Managing Director of Architecture at CWPA, said: “As part of the Western Campus project, we look forward to creating a space that not only reflects the functional requirements of a modern airport but also integrates aesthetic elements that make it a landmark in architectural design.”

In planning terms, a Concept Plan is a standard format of pre-application consultant information.  The next stage will be the submission of a pre-planning presentation, which will be followed by a planning application.