Authorities at the Dublin International Airport (DUB) have responded to recent comments about the airport's parking situation by the ultra-low-cost carrier Ryanair. The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) initially stated that the airport's parking lots had limited spaces available and that demand for parking was very high. The airport authorities also said that traveling passengers should try and find an alternative way to get to the airport. Ryanair, which utilized Dublin Airport as a hub city, did not feel that this was a solution to the problem.
Parking issues at Dublin Airport
The DAA recently issued a warning to all passengers stating that the airport's parking space was limited and would fill up quickly due to very high demand. It also urged customers to book a parking space if they were flying soon and had not yet done so. The airport authorities stated,
"If your dates are sold out, you should consider an alternative way of traveling to the airport."
Ryanair took note of the airport's announcement and prompted the airline to request that the DAA use the owned land around the Dublin Airport for temporary parking this upcoming summer, which is typically the busiest travel season. The land, which is owned by the DAA, is made up of several fields and driving ranges. Ryanair's proposed solution was to let passengers park on these seemingly unused fields. The airline also stated,
"Emergency times need emergency measures."
However, the DAA responded by saying the proposal was a simplistic view. The airport authorities said that creating parking for passenger cars requires infrastructure and planning permission. The airport has recently lost a private car park and is also having difficulty finding a replacement organization.
The airport also stated,
"We are running the fifth-largest transatlantic hub airport in Europe, not a county fair. Our focus is ensuring that everyone has a positive passenger experience at our airports over the busy summer months ahead."
Another run-in between Ryanair and the Dublin Airport
In Ryanair's response to the DAA regarding its parking policies, the airline also claimed that the DAA was gaming the system and raising airport charges. Ryanair stated that the DAA is using its monopoly position to obtain price increases across various airport charges.
The DAA did not take kindly to being called a monopoly and responded that it does not set its charges as a regulated business. The DAA stated,
"We offer ultra-low-cost charges at Dublin Airport, the lowest of any capital city airport in Europe, which are set to decrease by 30% presently."
The authorities at Dublin Airport recently took a High Court action against the Commission for Aviation Regulation to attempt to get a per-passenger charge increase that would be paid for by airlines. The DAA would use this charge increase to help pay for more security staff and, in turn, lowering waiting times.
Ryanair opposed this action, stating that the Dublin Airport is mismanaged, and that is the reason for high-security wait times last year.
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