Transforming Dublin Airport

The DAA is funding the Transforming Dublin Airport programme through passenger charges, income from commercial activities and borrowings.

There are several different types of airport charges – some relate to passengers and some to aircraft. When all are combined together, Dublin Airport is allowed to earn on average a maximum airport charge per passenger of €6.34 for the period up until 2010. That charge is set by the Commision for Aviation Regulation (CAR), an independent body that regulates Dublin Airport. Dublin Airport has one of the lowest passenger charges of any major European airport.

The DAA receives no direct funding from the Irish government. Only those who actually use the airport pay for its upkeep and improvement.

The income from passenger charges is used to help pay for the €2 billion upgrade programme and also to fund the day-to-day running costs of the airport.

We also generate revenue from commercial activities such as shops and restaurants, car parking and airport advertising. This commercial income is used to fund operating costs and the delivery of new facilities. The funds generated by commercial activities are also used to subsidise airport charges.

As we are investing for the future, we also require significant borrowings to fund the development of Dublin Airport. In July 2008, the DAA successfully raised €600m by issuing a new 10-year bond and one month earlier we agreed a new €200 million long-term loan facility with the European Investment Bank (EIB). These funds will help finance key projects within the €2 billion Transforming Dublin Airport programme.