Dublin Airport considers itself a responsible neighbour and intends to strike a balance between community needs and the economic importance of the airport, DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs said in his interview with RTÉ this week.
He said the airport acknowledges and has apologised for the mistake made regarding flight paths but assures residents that noise management remains a priority.
Mr Jacobs told RTÉ Prime Time that Dublin Airport has acknowledged the concerns raised about noise and flight paths and is taking steps to address them. The planning permission for the north runway did not explicitly link to specific flight paths, leading to confusion and uncertainty. To rectify this, Dublin Airport aims to transition from a fixed number of movements to a noise quota system, with revised operating hours.
Mr Jacobs said Fingal County Council and the noise regulator also share the view that moving towards a noise quota system would be more effective. This approach would allow flights to operate up until midnight and from 6 am while reducing the number of households affected by noise.
He said Dublin Airport has already seen a 50pc reduction this summer in the number of households impacted compared to 2019, demonstrating progress. The airport recognizes that noise is inherent to airport operations but emphasizes that modern aircraft are significantly quieter. Additionally, the airport has insulated 150 homes, with a grant scheme of up to €20,000 available for an additional 350 homes.
Dublin Airport actively engages with the community and conducts regular meetings to address concerns. If noise levels reach a certain threshold (63 dB for a sustained period), eligible households are offered insulation. The airport is committed to insulating more homes and meeting residents who are genuinely impacted by noise, particularly families with children facing sleep disturbance.
Regarding flight paths, while there was a deviation between August 2022 and February 2023, this was an unintentional mistake that has been rectified. The current flight path aligns with the original plan for the north runway. Dublin Airport emphasizes its compliance with the intended flight paths and the high level of regulation in the industry.
Mr Jacobs acknowledged that managing noise based solely on the number of movements is not the most effective approach, as older aircraft may create more noise. Transitioning to a noise quota system will ensure quieter aircraft are prioritized.
He acknowledged the concerns of affected residents, including Magdalena mentioned in the video. The airport is committed to evaluating the noise levels in specific homes and insulating them if necessary. While insulation significantly reduces noise indoors, the airport aims to find solutions like outdoor structures for schools, allowing children to enjoy fresh air while reducing noise exposure.
He said the airport recognizes the risks associated with its infrastructure but emphasizes that it is actively working to address concerns and continues to engage with the local community. Dublin Airport remains committed to managing noise while driving Ireland’s economy forward.
“There’s 116,000 jobs supported by Dublin Airport. This is a risk that we’re managing. This is a risk on which we’ve made very good progress and we intend to make further progress with the local community while also balancing the needs of the nation because our Dublin Airport is driving Ireland’s economy.
We made a mistake with the flight paths from August of last year to February of this year. We have corrected that and we’ve moved very very quickly and we’re sorry for that but the fly paths are as they were intended and noise will be managed.”
