The Dublin Airport operator should produce a plan to improve "nightmare" passenger experiences in Terminal One, Fianna Fail's transport spokesman James O'Connor has said.
The Cork TD said "long queues" for security, food and beverages in have made Dublin Airport's Terminal One "deeply uncomfortable" for passengers. The airport was the subject of many controversies during the summer months due to long waits to board airplanes.
Dublin Airport Authority, which operates the airport, struggled with the massive increase in demand for international travel in the direct aftermath of the Covid-19 restrictions after they let a lot of staff go during heavy restrictions. The Fianna Fail TD urged the airport operator to prepare for further increases in passenger numbers next year.
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He said: “Terminal One at Dublin Airport has become a nightmare for passengers. Long queues for security and for food and beverages have made using Terminal One a deeply uncomfortable passenger experience.
"Growing passenger numbers at the airport have exceeded the expected recovery time post covid by two years and with growth forecasts only going in one direction, it is likely 2019 passenger numbers will be exceeded in 2023."
Mr O’Connor added: "This is a brewing crisis for the airport as it steadily approaches its maximum operating capacity. Dublin Airport is the first impression many international visitors have of Ireland, and it is vitally important that the airport’s infrastructure, facilities, and services reflect our modern economy.
"While the DAA have major plans at Terminal Two, Terminal One is being completely neglected and is in urgent need of investment."
Deputy O’Connor suggested at the recent Oireachtas Transport Committee meeting that maintenance hangers on the northern section of the Airport should be relocated between the new runways to allow the renovation and extension of Terminal One.
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