Ireland: Dublin Airport should charge airlines more, CEO says

Dublin Airport could seek more cash from airlines to help pay for further improvements to its facilities, according to its CE, Kevin Toland. The airport’s operator, State company DAA, has added new aircraft stands and boarding areas since last year, and this week opened an extension to pier one, the departure area used mostly be Ryanair. The DAA’s annual report, published on Tuesday, shows that it earned profits of E108m last year on a turnover of E793m. The company, responsible for Cork and Dublin airports, had net debt of E523m on December 31st. Toland said that Dublin Airport wanted to consult about further possible investment with its biggest airline customers, led by Ryanair and Aer Lingus, and the Commission for Aviation Regulation, which determines what it can charge carriers. However, he indicated that the airlines would ultimately have to cover the cost of this through passenger charges. “We are not going to do anything that customers do not want, but we can’t do anything unless we are paid for it,” Toland said.<br/>