Ryanair has lodged a legal protest with the High Court against a €200 million plan to build an underground cargo tunnel at Dublin Airport. The airline points to the anticipated production of “very significant carbon emissions”, potential impacts on bats and waterways, and the proposed loss of two aircraft stands as key issues. The latter point is at odds with the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan, according to Ryanair.
The tunnel, measuring 1.1km and planned to run beneath the “crosswind” runway, has been justified by the DAA airport operator on the basis of enhanced accessibility, increased airfield safety, and ensuring separation of aircraft and ground vehicles.
Legal documents submitted by Ryanair propose around 80,000 tonnes of CO2 will be produced during the tunnel’s construction, with additional emissions expected during its use. The airline maintains that An Bord Pleanála, the planning board that approved the project, did not properly consider the 2023 Climate Action Plan or governmental limitation on emissions from specific sectors.
In addition, Ryanair takes issue with An Bord Pleanála’s failure to recognise that the planned progress is incompatible with the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan which would require the removal of two aircraft stands. Ryanair contends that relocating these stands after submitting a separate planning permission application was based on no more than “expressed hope or intention”, with no tangible evidence provided.
Ryanair’s legal challenge also claims that the project’s impacts on protected bats and local waterways were insufficiently evaluated. The airline states that this oversight violated the European Water Framework Directive, intended to maintain water quality, and corresponding Irish regulations. Specifically, Ryanair argues that the appeals board did not confirm the project would not risk the condition of a body of surface water.
In their legal proceedings, the airline company is expecting a declaration to provide safeguard against being liable for their rivals’ solicitor expenses, given their case involves specific environmental allegations. With the approval on Monday from Mr Justice Richard Humphreys, Ryanair’s senior counsel Martin Hayden was granted permission to continue with their legal claim in court. There will be another legal proceeding on 8th July.
With Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary warning of price hikes due to Dublin Airport’s ‘absurd’ passenger cap, it’s clear tensions are rising. The decision made by An Bord Pleanála on April 17th reaffirmed authorisation initially provided by Fingal County Council. This decision, which was contested by Ryanair and a residential group in north Dublin called SMTW Environmental DAC, also saw the DAA winning an appeal against five terms connected to the permission they received, which they argued was “excessive and unreasonably burdensome”.