DUBLIN, Ireland: An Bord Pleanala has approved plans for an expanded US Customs Pre-Clearance and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Dublin Airport, overturning a previous refusal by Fingal County Council in July 2023.

The council initially rejected the proposed extension, citing unresolved issues regarding the surrounding road network. In response, the airport operator, daa, lodged an appeal, with its consultants, Coakley O'Neill, describing the refusal as "entirely unexpected, totally unreasonable, and unjustified."

Nearly two years later, the appeals board has granted planning permission, allowing daa to move forward with the project aimed at alleviating "chronic congestion" at the existing CBP facility.

Daa welcomed the decision, stating, "Dublin Airport can now get on with improving the area for a better passenger experience." The operator highlighted the airport's position as the fifth-largest hub for transatlantic connectivity in Europe, noting that the extension would enhance its status as a secondary hub and bolster international competitiveness.

A consultant's report submitted in May 2023 emphasized the capacity issues at the existing CBP, revealing that the overflow queuing system was in use five out of every seven days during the summer of 2022 and was projected to be in even higher demand in the summer of 2023.

The report stated that the current facility was "technically and logistically complex and cumbersome" and insufficient to handle existing passenger volumes.

The US CBP facilities at Dublin and Shannon airports enable US-bound passengers to complete all immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections prior to departure, treating them as domestic arrivals upon landing in the US. This service provides a competitive advantage over other airports without pre-clearance facilities.

An Bord Pleanala concluded that the proposed development would not adversely impact traffic safety, convenience, or the visual character of the area. The project is expected to significantly ease congestion and streamline passenger processing for US-bound flights.