Ireland’s Dublin Airport will open its Terminal 2 towards the end of next month, Dublin Airport Authority has announced.
The opening of Dublin Airport Terminal 2 will take place bit-by-bit – ceremonially, it will be inaugurated on November 19th, while airline services will get underway four days later.
Airlines such as Etihad and Aer Lingus will move into the new structure gradually, ensuring regular services are not interrupted. The same is true of the various American carriers that use the site, which include Continental Airlines, US Airways and Delta.
Terminal 2: Dublin Airport
“The opening of Terminal 2 will transform the travel experience throughout Dublin Airport and will offer passengers the type of facilities, comfort and space they have been seeking for many years”, Declan Collier – Dublin Airport Authority Chief Executive – stated.
“It has always been our intention to open Terminal 2 on a phased basis and we have been working closely with our airline customers, ground handlers and the various State agencies in recent months to ensure a smooth transition.”
With passenger levels beyond 20 million in 2009, Dublin Airport is Ireland’s busiest, ahead of Shannon and Cork airports. Three passenger carriers are based here - Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Aer Arann – and there are three runways, the longest of which extends to over 8,500 feet.
Second Terminal: Dublin Airport
Aircraft operations at Dublin Airport date back to 1940 and the only commercial terminal there at present, Terminal 1, opened to passengers in 1972. The second terminal will boost Dublin Airport’s passenger capacity to 35m and it will be used for long-haul flights.
Dublin Airport Terminal 2 trials have been underway since early 2009 and will continue right up until the opening day.
In recent months, these trials have involved passengers and, to date, over 3,000 have participated. “All the various systems in the new terminal including the baggage system, safety, security, and building management have also been meticulously tested and those tests are continuing”, Mr Collier added.
http://www.airport-int.com/news/dublin-airport-terminal-2-set-to-open.html
