Queuing issues continue at Dublin Airport

Ryanair today called on Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey to investigate the problems with security screening which continue to dog Dublin Airport. The airline has highlighted 4 separate occasions in recent weeks when passengers missed flights due to the abnormally long queues at security screening. This week alone, on Monday and again this morning, 60 passengers in total missed flights when the security screening queue stretched outside the departures entrance into the check in area.

The airline questioned why passengers are missing flights when the airport handling fee is €15 per passenger and the airport departure tax is €10.

Whilst land side delays have tended to be highlighted due to the impact on departing passengers, the air side situation for those arriving is no better.

The picture above gives an indication of the situation which arose on Monday afternoon last when moving pavements had to be switched off and taken out of service due to the volume of passengers attempting to get through immigration. Automatic announcements were played to the effect that delays at immigration were due to passenger volume although it is believed that the increase in passenger volume in this instance was due to Pier A being unserviceable due to a roof problem and arriving passengers being funnelled through Pier D. The picture also shows a marked lack of DAA staff to 'meet and greet' arriving passengers.

Since late last year passengers have experienced severe delays in clearing passport control in a continuing apparent go slow arising from a dispute over meal allowances for Gardai attached to the National Immigration Bureau at Dublin Airport. At the end of last year Garda management attempted to remove the €29 daily allowance which caused the apparent go slow, manifested by each and every passport being inspected.

In February, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said that he was looking at the possibility of using civilians to man the facility since 142 officers who could be better deployed elsewhere were required to operate the immigration service at Dublin airport.