The airport’s operator said the move is part of its “sustainability agenda”.
Dublin Airport is to start charging drivers to drop-off and pick-up their friends and family.
The airport’s operator the DAA last year submitted a planning application to Fingal County Council to install new paid drop-off and pick-up zones at Terminal 1 and 2.
It has now been given the green light by the council to implement the change.
In a statement to JOE, a DAA spokesperson said the move is part of its “sustainability agenda”.
According to the company, the aim of the new system is to reduce car journeys to and from the airport and to encourage passengers to make greater use of public transport.
The spokesperson also stated that commercial funds raised by the new system will be ringfenced for sustainability initiatives at the airport.
These are said to include a proposed solar farm, the conversion of the airport’s car park and staff shuttle bus fleet from diesel to low emission vehicles and the installation of more electric vehicle charging points.
“A free drop-off and pick-up option will continue to be available after the new zones have been introduced,” the DAA spokesperson told JOE.
“There will be special provisions for people with reduced mobility.”
The new paid drop-off and pick-up zones will not be in place this summer, with construction due to commence in the second half of 2022.
When the DAA submitted the application to Fingal County Council for the zones last year, Independent councillor for Swords Joe Newman said he believed the plans were “just a money grab”.
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