Dublin Airport’s Terminal 2 first opened its doors to passengers on 19th November 2010. Once described as an “unnecessary Taj Mahal” by Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, it has since proven instrumental in accommodating growth at Dublin Airport, including a significant increase in transatlantic traffic. O’Leary staged a protest by arriving at the opening in a hearse, dressed as an undertaker, and carrying a wreath that read “Irish Tourism RIP.” O’Leary argued that the terminal was overly expensive and unnecessary, particularly in the context of Ireland’s economic challenges at the time, including the impending bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Opened at the time by then Taoiseach Brian Cowen, he emphasised its long-term vision saying: “T2 was designed and built not just for this year or the next, but for many decades into the future.” He highlighted the terminal as a vital infrastructure investment, intended to lay the foundation for Ireland’s growth and prosperity, even amid the global economic downturn of the time. Who would have thought that a relatively short 14 years later the airport would have reached the planning capacity limits?
The construction of Terminal 2 cost approximately €1.2 billion. This investment covered not only the terminal itself but also associated infrastructure, such as a new boarding gate area (Pier E), an advanced baggage handling system, and road upgrades around the airport.
