This is the moment the inaugural flight took to the skies from Dublin Airport's newest runway.
Ryanair flight FR1964 to Eindhoven in The Netherlands jetted off at 12pm from the €320m north runway at Ireland's busiest airport. The runway is 3,100 metres in length making it six times the length of O'Connell Street or 21 times the length of the pitch at Croke Park.
The Boeing 737-8-200 aircraft used for today's flight is up to 40% quieter than previous models while also burning less fuel. A spokesperson for daa said: "The increased use of such aircraft is an important step in lessening the impact of airports on their local communities."
Read more: Dublin Airport LIVE: Watch inaugural flight take off from new runway
Starting tomorrow, the runway will operate between the hours of 9am and 1pm. Once it becomes a part of normal operations that will then increase from 7am to 1pm. Following that operation will increase once again from 7am to 6pm and a constant review will take place.
The runway was first granted permission for construction in 2007. Work on its construction didn't begin until 2016 when the first sod was turned.
daa CEO, Dalton Philips said: "The opening of north runway is an exciting milestone for Dublin Airport and Ireland, with the delivery of this once-in-a-generation piece of vital national infrastructure positioning Ireland for economic growth for many decades to come. The addition of north runway will further enhance the role of Dublin Airport as a vital economic enabler for Irish tourism, trade and foreign direct investment.
"I am enormously proud of everyone who helped deliver this remarkable piece of aviation engineering both on budget and on schedule, ready to commence operation at a vital time for aviation and for Ireland."
Read next:
Dublin Airport's new north runway opens for first flight and how to watch it live
Passengers stranded after Ryanair forced to cut capacity on Dublin flight
Increase in Dublin Airport night time flights approved by Fingal County Council
Dublin Airport reduces passenger arrival times after improvements
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox
