Leo Varadkar gets Transport

Amtmann · 09-03-2011 6:35pm #1

Sickened that Coveney is not the MoT.

Jack Noble · 09-03-2011 6:44pm

Tremelo wrote: »

Sickened that Coveney is not the MoT.

Why? He didn't show himself to be too up to speed on the brief while in opposition.

Varadkar is an interesting choice - he's bright and very able.

Let's see how he gets on before judging him.

Have to wonder how he will handle Metro North and West and Dart Underground - all three serve his constituency!

L1011 · 09-03-2011 6:50pm

Delighted that Costello isn't despite being a Labour member.

marmurr1916 · 09-03-2011 6:51pm

Leo Varadkar (Fine Gael) has been nominated as the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

A rather bizarre collection of responsibilities.

Amtmann · 09-03-2011 6:53pm

Jack Noble wrote: »

Why?

Assured delivery of the much-needed N28 for one thing. We'll see what Varadkar does. He is bright and able as you say.

Voodoo_rasher · 09-03-2011 6:59pm

"Varadkar is an interesting choice - he's bright and very able.

Let's see how he gets on before judging him.

Have to wonder how he will handle Metro North and West and Dart Underground - all three serve his constituency![/QUOTE]

yes it is interesting in that LV himself avails of public transport from time to time. Encouraging selection in that portfolio ).

Jack Noble · 09-03-2011 7:00pm

Tremelo wrote: »

Assured delivery of the much-needed N28 for one thing.

I thought we were trying to get away from parish pump politics?

Although, in fairness, Leo could get to put three bloody great pumping stations in his parish.

As for Joe Costello getting Transport - there was more chance of Noel Dempsey keeping the job than that Nimby clown getting the gig.

Amtmann · 09-03-2011 7:09pm

Jack Noble wrote: »

I thought we were trying to get away from parish pump politics?

Please don't insinuate that that's my angle. The case for the N28 is enormous on a national basis, with a likely return of tens of billions of euro. The fact that Coveney is from Carrigaline simply means he's all the more aware of this and better positioned to deliver it, in addition to other much needed Cork infrastructure that would be of unquestionable national benefit. It's not about the parish pump at all. Quite the opposite.

Also, Coveney actually travels a lot. I happen to think that a transport minister should travel a lot. I'm not sure how often Varadkar leaves the capital, which is where he was born, where he studied, and where he works. It's a little point perhaps, but I could well imagine that Coveney would have a greater appreciation of what needs doing around the country. Again, just a hunch. We'll wait and see.

Pete_Cavan · 09-03-2011 7:16pm

marmurr1916 wrote: »

Leo Varadkar (Fine Gael) has been nominated as the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

A rather bizarre collection of responsibilities.

I agree. As I just posted in another forum, it looks like they didnt know what to do so just lumped the left overs in together at the end. Transport, Communications and Energy should have been amalgamated under one infrastructure department. Also, Environment is the obvious home for Natural Resourses.

Judgement Day · 09-03-2011 9:19pm

Tremelo wrote: »

Please don't insinuate that that's my angle. The case for the N28 is enormous on a national basis, with a likely return of tens of billions of euro. The fact that Coveney is from Carrigaline simply means he's all the more aware of this and better positioned to deliver it, in addition to other much needed Cork infrastructure that would be of unquestionable national benefit. It's not about the parish pump at all. Quite the opposite.

Also, Coveney actually travels a lot. I happen to think that a transport minister should travel a lot. I'm not sure how often Varadkar leaves the capital, where he was born, where he studied, and where he works. It's a little point perhaps, but I could well imagine that Coveney would have a greater appreciation of what needs doing around the country. Again, just a hunch. We'll wait and see.

Nothing unusual in Coveney not getting the portfolio that he was shadow spokesman for - not that long in fairness as it was only since the heave. You say he travelled a lot but did he use public transport much? Anyway, I don't like Varadkar as he comes across as an arrogant twit who won't listen to anybody but perhaps I'm wrong.

Tech3 · 09-03-2011 9:32pm

I find the algamating transport, tourism and sport for one ministry rather strange. It should have been transport, communications and energy. I'm happy Varadkar got the job, he looks to have some enthusisam and hopefully he will do much better than Dempsey did but that wont be too hard even if he is over sport and tourism also.

BluntGuy · 09-03-2011 10:02pm

Tech3 wrote: »

I find the algamating transport, tourism and sport for one ministry rather strange. It should have been transport, communications and energy. I'm happy Varadkar got the job, he looks to have some enthusisam and hopefully he will do much better than Dempsey did but that wont be too hard even if he is over sport and tourism also.

I can see how tourism and transport might play off each other in some respects. I'd agree though that Sports certainly has a feeling it was just "thrown in"

Varadkar has proven himself a competent and capable speaker and I agree he seems like the kind of person who would be enthusiastic and really get behind his brief. So I look forward to seeing what he brings to the table once he gets stuck in.

Slightly off-topic, but the encouraging feeling of actual capability (at least compared to the outgoing cretins) is one I get from the whole cabinet, not just Varadkar in particular.

dubhthach · 09-03-2011 10:40pm

From an infrastructure point of view I'd be interested if they can deliever my favourite "Hoby Horse" FTTH (Fibre to the Home), it's in the docs etc but it be interesting what sort of timetable they propose to spend the €2billion required to do it.

D.L.R. · 09-03-2011 11:09pm

BluntGuy wrote: »

Slightly off-topic, but the encouraging feeling of actual capability (at least compared to the outgoing cretins) is one I get from the whole cabinet, not just Varadkar in particular.

Its looking good for MN/DU. Huge Dublin-heavy govt.. Dublin transport minister, large vocal lobby in cabinet. In contrast to previous, largely rural regime, which had become as brittle as creme brulee and beholden to randomly located independents.

It all points to a renewed, pragmatic focus on Dublin's core infrastructure and its huge, gaping holes. Hopefully now, instead of getting the odd randomly-placed low-spec tram line, govt can get to the heart of the problem and build the city tunnels.

Sure whats a few more billion at this stage anyway, right? At least we'll get something real in return.

DWCommuter · 10-03-2011 1:14am

D.L.R. wrote: »

Its looking good for MN/DU. Huge Dublin-heavy govt.. Dublin transport minister, large vocal lobby in cabinet. In contrast to previous, largely rural regime, which had become as brittle as creme brulee and beholden to randomly located independents.

It all points to a renewed, pragmatic focus on Dublin's core infrastructure and its huge, gaping holes. Hopefully now, instead of getting the odd randomly-placed low-spec tram line, govt can get to the heart of the problem and build the city tunnels.

Sure whats a few more billion at this stage anyway, right? At least we'll get something real in return.

Nice sentiments and I agree. However I always fear the Irish political mindset, which has yet to grasp real public transport expenditure.

As for LV, he has his chance and as is usual, only time will tell. But his departments combo set up, suggests that sport and transport are secondary to tourism, which has been identified as a basket case that needs fixing. With respect to the incoming Government it doesn't look like transport is high on their agenda. Its relegation to a somewhat bizarre combo dept. says a lot really.

monument · 10-03-2011 1:52am

Leo Varadkar is should be great news for Dart, Metro North and Metro West. Unlike many people here he seems to understand the importance of the Dart upgrades and the Metro projects to the Dublin region and thus to the country. On Metro West, he is from an area that helps him understand its importance to the west of Dublin and the city overall.

How will he do? As DWCommuter said -- Time will tell.

Tremelo wrote: »

Also, Coveney actually travels a lot. I happen to think that a transport minister should travel a lot. I'm not sure how often Varadkar leaves the capital, which is where he was born, where he studied, and where he works. It's a little point perhaps, but I could well imagine that Coveney would have a greater appreciation of what needs doing around the country. Again, just a hunch. We'll wait and see.

Given that most people mostly travel around, and in and out of urban areas (not across the country), Leo Varadkar is a better choice if your measure is linking the best choice to where people travel.

One of the things that needs to be done is to improve people's choices in and out of and around cities and towns in a way which reduces congestion. Doing that will have the knock-on effect of improving cargo flows and freeing the roads for people who need to drive for work or because they really have no choice.

Tech3 wrote: »

I find the algamating transport, tourism and sport for one ministry rather strange. It should have been transport, communications and energy. I'm happy Varadkar got the job, he looks to have some enthusisam and hopefully he will do much better than Dempsey did but that wont be too hard even if he is over sport and tourism also.

Transport, coms and energy would make sense but would be a very large and powerful department. Too large for one minister would likely to be the reason it would not happen.

DWCommuter wrote: »

But his departments combo set up, suggests that sport and transport are secondary to tourism, which has been identified as a basket case that needs fixing. With respect to the incoming Government it doesn't look like transport is high on their agenda. Its relegation to a somewhat bizarre combo dept. says a lot really.

What do you mean? It's called the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, that would suggest transport first? It's a very strange mix anyway, and I'm not sure how healthy it is to change departments around like this.

As for the mix, I think it was more about getting the new departments they wanted (and maybe the mix of other ones).

D.L.R. wrote: »

Its looking good for MN/DU. Huge Dublin-heavy govt.. Dublin transport minister, large vocal lobby in cabinet. In contrast to previous, largely rural regime, which had become as brittle as creme brulee and beholden to randomly located independents.

It all points to a renewed, pragmatic focus on Dublin's core infrastructure and its huge, gaping holes. Hopefully now, instead of getting the odd randomly-placed low-spec tram line, govt can get to the heart of the problem and build the city tunnels.

Not all Dublin TDs will be pro public transport and not all non-Dublin TDs will be anti-public transport.

DWCommuter · 10-03-2011 2:04am

monument wrote: »

What do you mean? It's called the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, that would suggest transport first? It's a very strange mix anyway, and I'm not sure how healthy it is to change departments around like this.

I don't believe that the Depts. title is representative of the order of preference. The mix is both strange and unhealthy as you said. I think tourism is getting a heavy spend and focus, while transport and sport are victims of previous heavy spends, albeit ill conceived in some respects.

My analysis is based on trends. Just look at how long it took to get a dedicated DOT. We reached a peak and now I fear that recession has us on a downward, diluted spiral. (a bit like it used to be)

donkey balls · 10-03-2011 4:39am

Tech3 wrote: »

I find the algamating transport, tourism and sport for one ministry rather strange. It should have been transport, communications and energy. I'm happy Varadkar got the job, he looks to have some enthusisam and hopefully he will do much better than Dempsey did but that wont be too hard even if he is over sport and tourism also.

Back in 96 it was known as TEAC Transport energy&comms Mr Lowry was in the hot seat back then,I wonder will Leo start straight away by trying to privatise the public transport end of things.
Another poster reckons that he comes across as an ignorant twat well I can confirm that he does bit of a motor mouth imo but when questioned about specific topics waffles on like the rest of the them hopefully he will do better than dempsey then again that cant be to hard.
Hey who remembers dempsey on the last word telling us poor folk in order for us not to damage our wheels we should drive slowly into the pot holes, Also afaik Leo lives in a built up area so I dont think he will get to use the army choppers like dempsey did due to rotar wash etc.

Jack Noble · 10-03-2011 4:21pm

Tipp North Labour TD and former MEP Alan Kelly is the junior in transport - his role is 'Public and Commuter Transport'.

Shows new govt is taking the matter seriously.

Will be interesting to hear what Leo and Kelly have to say once they get the full briefings from DoT officials, NTA, RPA and Irish Rail on Metro North and Dart Underground, the other rail projects and 2030 Vision.

flazio · 10-03-2011 6:26pm

I hope that the Leo remembers there is an Ireland beyond the commuter belt and it would like to get around quickly as well. Not saying Dublin should be ignored or anything but that a fair balance is struck between both sides of the Shannon.
If we are perfectly honest, I don't think we've ever had a disastrous Minister for Transport in the last 10+ years and I hope this continues

Zebra3 · 10-03-2011 6:33pm

flazio wrote: »

I hope that the Leo remembers there is an Ireland beyond the commuter belt and it would like to get around quickly as well. Not saying Dublin should be ignored or anything but that a fair balance is struck between both sides of the Shannon.
If we are perfectly honest, I don't think we've ever had a disastrous Minister for Transport in the last 10+ years and I hope this continues

:D:D

You're so right...... :pac:

Judgement Day · 10-03-2011 8:06pm

flazio wrote: »

I hope that the Leo remembers there is an Ireland beyond the commuter belt and it would like to get around quickly as well. Not saying Dublin should be ignored or anything but that a fair balance is struck between both sides of the Shannon.
If we are perfectly honest, I don't think we've ever had a disastrous Minister for Transport in the last 10+ years and I hope this continues

Martin Cullen who presided over the privatisation of Aer Lingus and Noel Dempsey who presided over the farcial closure of the South Wexford Railway, the opening of the nonsensical WRC and truncated Navan rail link. I won't even go into some of the other nonsense concerning Seamus Brennan and Aer Rianta, Luas extensions etc. Yes, all in all three great Transport Ministers in ten years - where were you living? :rolleyes:

DWCommuter · 10-03-2011 8:40pm

Leo's priorities as reported in the IT.

Mr Varadkar said the priorities for his Department would be the abolition of the travel tax, the reform of some labour agreements to make tourism more competitive and to have integrated ticketing within a year.

Of course this doesn't mean everything else is forgotten, but I suspect there will be a heavy emphasis on tourism, because it has a strong lobby across the Hotel/Restaurant/Pub sector and its seen as a potential job creator. What Kelly can achieve as Junior minister is anyones guess at this early stage.

Judgement Day · 10-03-2011 8:44pm

I'm quietly confident that he will be a total failure as he has his head very far up his arse - remember where you heard it first. Actually I think the first clues were on Tonight with Vincent Browne.

mgmt · 10-03-2011 9:03pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

I'm quietly confident that he will be a total failure as he has his head very far up his arse - remember where you heard it first. Actually I think the first clues were on Tonight with Vincent Browne.

Give the man a chance. He's in my constituency and I voted for him. He provided good opposition last term.

veryangryman · 10-03-2011 9:30pm

mgmt wrote: »

Give the man a chance. He's in my constituency and I voted for him. He provided good opposition last term.

Easy to criticise - some people do it for a living. Dave Fanning can knock the sh1t out of the Godfather, but i dont see him coming up with a script for a sequel

Varadakar is an intelligent man, but i have to say i also think hes a smug git. If i saw him at a party with alot of fun people, id still not hang with them just cos he's there. He's Buzz Killington in all but name.

mgmt · 10-03-2011 10:52pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Varadakar is an intelligent man, but i have to say i also think hes a smug git. If i saw him at a party with alot of fun people, id still not hang with them just cos he's there. He's Buzz Killington in all but name.

So is Michael O'Leary. Leo has been in the job 1 day.

lods · 11-03-2011 12:19am

You can be pro public transport and against Metro North as it stands. He seems a highly intelligent politician and will make up his own mind .

flazio · 11-03-2011 1:09am

Judgement Day wrote: »

Martin Cullen who presided over the privatisation of Aer Lingus and Noel Dempsey who presided over the farcial closure of the South Wexford Railway, the opening of the nonsensical WRC and truncated Navan rail link. I won't even go into some of the other nonsense concerning Seamus Brennan and Aer Rianta, Luas extensions etc. Yes, all in all three great Transport Ministers in ten years - where were you living? :rolleyes:

Still though, not nearly as bad as the Health Ministries, And lets be fair the road infrastructure has come along leaps and bounds, the fact we have a Luas at all, opening of the Intercity bus market and the lessening of road deaths that seems to have brought along.
I'll agree the rail sector needs a major shake up but I still think it does have a part to play in commuter life outside of Dublin and the commuter belt.

donkey balls · 11-03-2011 2:14am

What about the fact that every major road into and out of Dublin has more than one toll on it bar the N2,Dempsey refused to mention about the $$$$ we the tax payer pay these private companies if they dont break even stating more or less that its top secret:rolleyes:.
Saying that in all my years driving around Ireland both as a professional driver and car driver the roads have improved slightly,Now I'm going get flamed for saying this:pbut Mayo&Roscommon have some of the worst roads I have ever driving on the primary routes need to be updated to dual carraigeways this should have been done during our so called boom.
As for the western sea board railway has there been a CBA done to prove wether or not it would be worth constructing,I remember there was a thread about moving our produce by rail rather than road the fact is our road transport network works very effiently at present but could be tweaked a bit more if some of the major roads to the west were improved.

mgmt · 11-03-2011 2:30am

donkey balls wrote: »

What about the fact that every major road into and out of Dublin has more than one toll on it bar the N2,Dempsey refused to mention about the $$$$ we the tax payer pay these private companies if they dont break even stating more or less that its top secret:rolleyes:.

You cannot toll a road that received EU funding.

donkey balls · 11-03-2011 2:36am

So where did all this EU money for roads go to? Dempsey stated that it was not viable to toll the M9 due to the amount of people using it,What about all those signs with transport 21 on them with the EU logo;).

DWCommuter · 11-03-2011 2:41am

If memory serves me correctly, the N2 was going to be a tolled motorway, hence its motorway design and speed limit. I remember a Q & A show where Dempsey was torn asunder about it and he wasn't even the MOT at the time.

veryangryman · 11-03-2011 8:13am

mgmt wrote: »

You cannot toll a road that received EU funding.

Course you can *cough Watergrasshill bypass cough *

spacetweek · 14-03-2011 11:10am

mgmt wrote: »

You cannot toll a road that received EU funding.

Unlikely to be correct, every motorway in Ireland received EU funding to my knowledge. Well, certainly the ones that lie on a Euroroute would have (that's M1, M11, M7, M8 and N25).

runway16 · 15-03-2011 4:02pm

Tremelo wrote: »

Please don't insinuate that that's my angle. The case for the N28 is enormous on a national basis, with a likely return of tens of billions of euro. The fact that Coveney is from Carrigaline simply means he's all the more aware of this and better positioned to deliver it, in addition to other much needed Cork infrastructure that would be of unquestionable national benefit. It's not about the parish pump at all. Quite the opposite.

Also, Coveney actually travels a lot. I happen to think that a transport minister should travel a lot. I'm not sure how often Varadkar leaves the capital, which is where he was born, where he studied, and where he works. It's a little point perhaps, but I could well imagine that Coveney would have a greater appreciation of what needs doing around the country. Again, just a hunch. We'll wait and see.

Coveney didnt even know that the NRA was only responsible for National roads, according to a transcript of an exchange between Fred Barry and a Dail commitee.

Hardly an optimum choice... but, yes, I agree with you re the N28.

robd · 17-03-2011 11:54pm

lods wrote: »

You can be pro public transport and against Metro North as it stands. He seems a highly intelligent politician and will make up his own mind .

Indeed. You can be pro public transport and simply have no money which I suspect will be the case.

Reading between the lines of the program for government, I can't see any new transport projects progressing over the term of this government. The hole in finances is too big and they've made a commitment not to cut headline social welfare rates. Reform of the HSE isn't going to safe money in the short term. A redundancy program is going to cost money in the sort term. Thus capital expenditure has to suffer, drastically.

spacetweek · 18-03-2011 7:17pm

robd wrote: »

Reading between the lines of the program for government, I can't see any new transport projects progressing over the term of this government.

It's the opposite really, they've shown that everything is on the table and MN/DU are far more likely to proceed now than before.

Amtmann · 18-03-2011 9:10pm

I am preparing to eat humble pie.

NEW DELHI: State-owned carrier Air India plans to take a call soon on making Dublin airport in the Irish capital its new hub, after pulling out of Frankfurt in Germany. The talks between the Indian and Irish governments are at an advanced stage in this regard.

The Irish minister met the Indian civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi on Wednesday to discuss the issue.

"In many ways the Indian government has shown interest in our airport and seems to be ready to go with it," the Irish minister for transport, tourism and sport Leo Varadkar said.

Air India had initially shortlisted seven European airports to make one of them its new hub, in order to cut costs and facilitate movement of traffic to the US and other parts of Europe in a smoother way.

"Dublin is one of the final two airports that Air India has zeroed in on and will shortly take a call on it," Varadkar, the first Indian origin person to be part of the Irish government, added.

According to Irish government officials, Dublin is among the bottom three airports in Europe in terms of cost. In addition, it will be able to provide a lot of operational benefits to Air India as it would give clearances to traffic headed towards the US in Dublin itself. This would save time for passengers when they land in the US. AI had started hub operations through Frankfurt in March 2009 and ceased them in Octoberlast year after making Delhi's Terminal 3 its new hub to save costs. The decision to drop the Frankfurt hub had been taken as part of a revamp of international operations, wherein the focus shifted to non-stop long-haul flights.

Consequently, the New Delhi-Frankfurt-Toronto connection became Amritsar-Delhi-London-Toronto; Delhi-Frankfurt-Newark became direct between Delhi and Newark.

The earlier practice of routing passengers from Ahmedabad, Delhi and Mumbai and from Chicago, Toronto and Newark to Frankfurt was also discontinued. Instead, Air India started direct Delhi-Chicago and Delhi-Toronto flights last year, when it commenced operations from the T3.

According to Irish government officials , using Dublin airport as a hub would make Transatlantic operations for Air India more profitable and much more passengers can be picked up en-route.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-may-consider-dublin-airport-as-its-new-hub/articleshow/7732192.cms

dowlingm · 19-03-2011 3:35am

Question is - what equipment does AI have that can get off 10/28 and go 7100km?

donkey balls · 19-03-2011 4:04am

dowlingm wrote: »

Question is - what equipment does AI have that can get off 10/28 and go 7100km?

More than likely B744/B777ER the Rwy at Dub can cope with both including parking stands the A380 would be another kettle of fish.

L1011 · 19-03-2011 12:18pm

They don't have A380s if the Wiki is to be believed.

dowlingm · 19-03-2011 6:25pm

donkey balls wrote: »

More than likely B744/B777ER the Rwy at Dub can cope with both including parking stands the A380 would be another kettle of fish.

Is there enough runway though? One of the big failures of the Celtic Tiger was not getting the parallel, longer 10/28 done.

Sponge Bob · 19-03-2011 7:19pm

there would be enough runway westbound, Delhi - NYC say as the longer leg would be inbound to Dublin. I'd say AI might use Frankfurt eastbound .

ardmacha · 22-03-2011 7:01pm

there would be enough runway westbound, Delhi - NYC say as the longer leg would be inbound to Dublin. I'd say AI might use Frankfurt eastbound .

But surely the advantage of using DUB is the possibility of picking up some passengers or freight en route? This wouldn't work well if they only stop one way. If all AI want is US immigration and a long runway then SNN would do the trick.

runway16 · 22-03-2011 11:01pm

There will be no problem with the runway for Air India at Dublin heading to the US and Canada. The problem will be on the return to India, when the 777 would be payload restricted.

An extension of 500m (but preferably 1000m) would sort the issue and wouldnt take all that long as it is considered "permitted development" under planning law, something similar to adding a conservatory to your home!

The land is available, it would not overly disrupt operations, and wouldnt cost the earth either... and it needs to be done anyway. We could be waiting many years for the parallel runway to be built.

DUB is also perfectly capable of handling the A380 - it uses even less runway typically than the 747 (again, depending on what route,, it would be payload restricted) but the airfield can handle it no problem. A couple of the newer stands at T2 could also accomodate it, but the facility to board / disembark passengers at both levels of the aircraft is not present, and so this would take considerably longer.

But the airfield can handle it - some people seem to think that DUB is somehow lacking in this area - it is not, just that the runway length limits what can be lifted from it.

Sponge Bob · 23-03-2011 1:13am

runway16 wrote: »

There will be no problem with the runway for Air India at Dublin heading to the US and Canada. The problem will be on the return to India, when the 777 would be payload restricted. .

Isn't that what I already said ??

The existing runway in Dublin could easily be lengthened to near 3000m but the Nobber Road would possibly need to be put in a tunnel to take it past 3000m ....not a serious challenge except that Aer Rianta wants a second 3100m runway where they have space for it further north and not an extension.

If the world IS warming up as they say the runway may need to be a tad longer again for Ultra Heavy takeoffs/aborts like the A380 and 747-8 freighter variants coming down the line...say 3500m.

An extension would be the best idea for the next 10-15 years in my opinion, best not a mickey mouse one

runway16 · 23-03-2011 2:27am

If I am basically backing up what you just said, what exactly is the problem? Am I not allowed to state my view - especially given I work in the business and can offer an inside viewpoint?

Anyhoo, back to the runway: There is also significant space to extend the runway at the other end, such that 3500m would be achievable.

Even the Nobber road could just be diverted to go around the end of the lengthened runway - thats exactly what the cheap bastards did when they built the runway in the first place ;-)

DAA own all the land needed to do this, it will simply mean replacing the approach lighting into adjacent fields, and the road issue mentioned above.

The planned new runway looks like it will be 3660m now and not the 3100m that was originally proposed, but who knows how long we will be waiting for it.

The 747-8 freighter is already in service now, and would not present any more of an issue than current 747's. Even the A380 has better take off performance than the 747, so there are really no specific requirements for those aircraft types over and above what a 777-300 needs for example. Runway Width is recommened at 60m for an A380, but it has no issue operating on 45m wide runways (the standard width) and has now been certified for such. 10/28 at DUB is 45m wide, but has Shoulders at Either side of 7.5m, so no problems there.

AI wont split the operation between Dublin and Frankfurt either - the plan is for a "Scissor Hub" rather than a technical stop. The idea is that, say 3 flights would arrive from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar, and 3 would then depart to New York, Chicago and Toronto, meaning that passengers from each of the 3 Indian cities could connect to each of the 3 US/Canadian cities. Obviously to achieve that, both Eastbound and Westbound Aircraft need to land at the same place and same time frame.

Sponge Bob · 23-03-2011 9:12am

runway16 wrote: »

The planned new runway looks like it will be 3660m now and not the 3100m that was originally proposed, but who knows how long we will be waiting for it.

That new distance seems about the right length for future purposes. Thanks Runway. Mind you a lot more people live in Nobber than was the case 30 years ago

In all fairness to Aer Rianta they could not have predicted the celtic tiger/rise of longhaul to asia in the mid 1980s when they planned the current DA runway at 2800m.

davebuck · 23-03-2011 4:20pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

That new distance seems about the right length for future purposes. Thanks Runway. Mind you a lot more people live in Nobber than was the case 30 years ago

In all fairness to Aer Rianta they could not have predicted the celtic tiger/rise of longhaul to asia in the mid 1980s when they planned the current DA runway at 2800m.

The runway at Dublin was kept short by the government to protect the Shannon stopover,Aer Rianta wanted to build a longer runway at Dublin but were prevented.

runway16 · 23-03-2011 11:18pm

davebuck wrote: »

The runway at Dublin was kept short by the government to protect the Shannon stopover,Aer Rianta wanted to build a longer runway at Dublin but were prevented.

Entirely correct. It wasnt a matter of the airport not foreseeing it as such (Aer Rianta were actually an incredibly forward thinking company in their day), but a matter of them being hamstrung by inane parish pump politics....:mad:

A number of sound decisions were taken by Aer Rianta to future proof the airport, including buying up land in the area, preventing certain development in order to ensure a noise problem didnt occur, provision of space for an underground station in Terminal 1 etc etc.

The airports problems really began when a certain carrier started getting agressive, and was demanding the lowest costs. It was duly given to them, but at the price of lack of investment in the airport.

Leo Varadkar gets Transport

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