SAMANTHA McCAUGHREN

McEvaddy hopes new terminal plan takes off at Dublin airport

BUSINESSMAN Ulick McEvaddy (inset) is once again trying to get his plans for a new terminal at Dublin airport off the ground. For close to two decades, he has campaigned for a second terminal on land beside Dublin Airport that he owns with his brother Des. Now that a second terminal has been built, he is proposing a third terminal. He has recently paid a visit to Transport Minister Shane Ross to outline his vision for expanded facilities. “The development of infrastructure at Dublin Airport was raised,” a spokesman for Ross confirmed. The idea of Dublin becoming a super-hub for BA is being quietly floated in aviation circles, with Dublin being seen as a workable alternative to the clogged-up airports in London. However, it might not all be plain sailing, or should that be cruising? Dublin may have to fight off competition from Madrid. The McEvaddys have been pursuing their idea for a competing terminal in Dublin for years, something Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has never been keen on. There have been legal threats along the way, with the McEvaddys challenging the DAA’s decision not to give them access to the runways. But even during the depths of the recession, McEvaddy stood by his €450m plan for an extra Dublin Airport terminal. At a time when Dublin Airport numbers were falling at 20pc a year, he predicted that the second terminal would “be full within a couple of years”. “I sure am building my terminal, it’s just a question of when,” he said. “Watch this space.” The land in question is now in Nama and no doubt the DAA would love to get its hands on it. No lift off just yet.