D. A. Terminal 3 Ltd., the company established by Des and Ulick McEvaddy for the future development of a third terminal at Dublin Airport, has submitted its initial Concept Plan to Fingal County Council. In the plan, the company sets out a clear 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. Sustainability and access form a central element of the plan.
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.
This is a sustainable plan for the Dublin Airport Zone of Fingal and the land for the proposed location of the Western Campus and Terminal 3 has designated zoning for “airport” use. Situated between the two runways at the airport, 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.
The existing plan for Dublin Airport relates to an increase of passenger numbers to forty million by 2030. But it is patently clear that further plans will be required in 2027 and this has already been called for in line with the Government’s own Oxford Economics Report into the future of Dublin Airport. The proposed new D.A. Terminal 3 Ltd. plan addresses the issue of significantly increasing passenger throughput in both a realistic and sustainable manner.
As well as a world-class terminal building, the Western Campus will entail a cargo terminal, hotel, ample car parking and office space. 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 highlights of the D. A. Terminal 3 Ltd. Concept Plan are:
- A thorough assessment of the need for a next phase of airport development.
- Masterplan for the integration of DA Terminal 3/Western Campus and the existing airport.
- Proposal for a third terminal, as a strategic alternative to existing proposals, optimising existing runway and terminal capacity.
- Mid-field location of Terminal 3 will reduce risk and cost.
- Overall development of the Western Campus which will include:
- Car parks
- A logistics park
- Cargo terminal
- Hotel
- Office space
- Strategy to address sustainable fuel
- Alignment with Fingal County Council 2020 Local Area Plan, Road Network Requirements – recommending a western Access Route, which will relieve congestion and improve public transport outcomes, in addition to parking expansion.
- Dublin Airport Terminal 3 will have ample, affordable and sustainable car parking facilities.
“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 decision to advance a third terminal on D. A. Terminal 3 Ltd. lands is informed by the 2016 Indecon Report “Review of the Regulatory Regime for Airport Charges in Ireland”; and the 2018 Oxford Economics Report, both of which were commissioned by the Department of Transport.
The vision for The Western Campus and Terminal 3 goes beyond sheer passenger numbers. It is about responsible growth and sustainability. It recognises the importance of balancing the increasing demands of air travel with commitments to environmental targets. It will be a flagship project for Fingal and Ireland, showcasing that an airport can expand its capacity significantly while minimising its environmental footprint. The aim of D. A. Terminal 3 Ltd. is to set new standards for eco-friendly aviation infrastructure. From energy-efficient systems to smart waste management, the Western Campus and Terminal 3 will embrace innovative technologies and practices that align with the highest standards of commitment to the environment.
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.
D. A. Terminal 3 Ltd. is open to engaging with all relevant national stakeholders about the optimum planning for the Fingal/Dublin Airport zoned lands. This is in the context of factors such as access, noise, car parking, sustainability, cargo and others. It is part of a solution that will contribute to Ireland’s economic prosperity into the future. Further details about the plan can be accessed at www.airportcampuswest.ie.
