Dublin Airport's Terminal one will be receiving a €55m overhaul after a decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the project.

The extension to Terminal One is part of a €2bn capital development programme to transform the congested Airport over the next 10 years.

With over 7,500 square metres of new space planned, the revamped terminal will provide additional space for passengers, check-in desks, and additional retail space. The new facility will be completed on a phased basis with the first elements available for use in the spring of 2008, and preliminary work is due to begin in Feburary.

Dublin Airport Authority's Chief Executive Declan Collier said the €50m extension to Terminal One "will provide much needed extra space for customers and help improve the passenger experience at Dublin Airport".

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He added: "This €50m investment in Terminal One is one of a number of projects that we are working on to radically improve the customer experience for all passengers using Dublin Airport.

"Over the next five years we will be investing about €450m in Terminal One related projects. This spend includes the T1 extension, the construction of Pier D, new apron works, a major roads and kerbs upgrade and a large number of internal refurbishments and upgrades."

The northern end of Terminal One is being expanded to help cope with the huge growth in passengers departing from Pier A and the new Pier D, which will open in the autumn of next year. More than 12 million passengers are expected to use Piers A and D during 2008, a 40% increase on the current passenger volumes in this area.

Designed by ADPI, a subsidiary of Aeroports de Paris, the development will sit on a number of concrete columns above ground level allowing the apron area below the building to be retained for use by ground handlers and other aviation related services.

(DW/JM)