Dublin Airport can become the third Heathrow runway – Hayes

Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes has today (Thursday) said that Dublin Airport can effectively become the third Heathrow runway. Mr Hayes made his comments following the Government’s formal approval of IAG’s offer for Aer Lingus.

“The new alliance of Aer Lingus and IAG is clearly beneficial. It creates an exciting opportunity for Dublin Airport.  There is now a real possibility for Dublin Airport to become in effect the third Heathrow runway.

“Heathrow is seriously overcrowded and there is massive controversy and opposition to plans for a third runway. It will be at least ten or fifteen years before a third runway could become operational, if ever.

“There is now a chance for Dublin Airport to make a pitch to the IAG group to make Dublin Airport a hub for transatlantic flights. Terminal capacity is already in place at Dublin Airport to handle increased traffic. The US immigration pre-clearance facilities are a clear added bonus. Using Dublin Airport as a transatlantic hub for Aer Lingus/IAG will relieve pressure at an already overcrowded Heathrow.

“An increased frequency of transatlantic flights from Dublin airport will attract more passengers and airlines to use Dublin Airport. This has already begun to happen.  The new Aer Lingus/IAG alliance has the potential to transform not just Aer Lingus but Dublin Airport as well,” concluded Mr Hayes.