Irish Aviation Authority takes steps towards €28m tower

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has taken a key step towards seeking bids for its proposed €28 million air traffic control tower at Dublin Airport.

The Republic’s aviation safety regulator has sought expressions of interest in the project, which it says will be needed to operate the airport’s proposed new runway.

The documents value the project at €28 million, slightly below the €32 million the authority suggested it would cost earlier this year, and indicate that bids could be sought in September. However, the IAA said on Friday that “it may or may not” proceed further.

A new tower will be almost 90m high and include techology and instruments for guiding craft in and out of the Republic’s busiest airport, where there are more than 200,000 aircraft movements a-year.

News that the IAA intends to go ahead with the new tower sparked protests from some airlines, which claimed that it was too expensive. However, the regulator insisted that it would be necessary.

Dublin Airport manager, DAA, recently sought bids for the construction of its proposed €320 million northern runway, needed now that passenger numbers there have overtaken the 25 million-a-year mark.

When that project was announced, the IAA confirmed that it intended building the tower. It has had planning permission for the development since 2010.