Construction of Dublin Airport's new passenger terminal (T2) is on schedule for completion before the end of 2009 and passengers will begin to use the new facility in 24 months time, according to the Chairman of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), Gary McGann.

Speaking in Dublin yesterday at the publication of the DAA's financial performance for 2007, he said the DAA was determined to open T2 on time and on schedule and to meet its objective of transforming the passenger experience at Dublin Airport as quickly as possible.

Also at the event, DAA Chief Executive, Declan Collier reiterated that the DAA's key focus was transforming the passenger experience at Dublin Airport. He said: "The recent erection of the first steel supports for the new terminal provides passengers and other airport customers with visual confirmation not only of the rapid progress being made, but also of the position of the new terminal relative to existing facilities.

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"We are also moving ahead with a range of other significant projects to enhance the overall passenger experience at the Airport and close to €450m, or the equivalent of €1.5m per working day, will be invested by the DAA at Dublin Airport during 2008," he added.

These include a 7,500 sq m extension to the existing terminal to provide more comfort, space retail and catering choice for passengers en route to Piers A and D; an extension to Pier D to provide more contact stands for fast-turnaround aircraft; close to €100m worth of new aircraft parking areas, taxiways and environmental features on the airfield; and a new multi-storey car park and four-star hotel in close proximity to T2.

The €2bn Transformation Programme at Dublin Airport incorporates over 120 separate projects in the first pre-2010 stage alone while the next stage, up to 2015, will include many others including a new parallel runway.

(VB/JM)