| Product: |
Dublin Airport (DUB) |
| Date: |
03/05/01 (134 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Nice staff
Disadvantages: Old airport
When I flew into Dublin last year, I did not realise what a shock I was in for.
There I was, expecting this hustling and bustling International airport full of the latest shops, facilities and eateries, the same as Gatwick or Stansted.
Instead I was presented with a very old delapidated type airport, more at home in some far flung part of Greece or turkey.
On landing, I looked out of the window expecting to see huge airliners and jumbos jetting off to exotic locations.
Instead I saw many medium sized short haul planes. I even saw lots of very small propeller planes that would be more at home on a private airfield.
Terminal.
---------
Looks very 60's. Not sure of its construction date but it looks very old fashioned.
No air walkways suspended to your plane doorway like at most major airports.
Instead you have to hop on a bus that ferries you from the apron to an escalator that akes you up to customs.
once inside the terminal, it looks decidedly beter than the outside but still very dated. No layout to the walkways. You could end up anywhere in the airport as signposting is very poor.
Once you have your baggage, its a short walk through to the outside world. No long treks to the pick up points.
There is a taxi rank right outside of the front doors wher you can pick up a ride to the town, only 15 minutes away.
The carpark is directly across from the terminal too.
What I did notice , and is very handy, is the exchange tills in the baggage reclaim. You can change your money here for punts.
Facilities.
----------
Shops are quite sparce and not as lavish as Gatwick or Heathrow. High street brands are missing from the galleries here.
Eateries too suffer with sandwiches being your best offer.
Toilets seemed clean and presentable.
I did not notice any provision for disabled users though.
Staff.
------
Being in the land of lovely people, the staff are very friendly.
Not like when you fly to Stansted!
They are very curteous and always smiling. Nice to see someone enjoying their jobs.
General opinion.
----------------
Apart from the nice staff, Dublin International does not have a lot going for it. Its small, old and looks very tired.
Not much choice when flying to Ireland though.
For such an expanding city (one of the fastest growing in Europe) you would expect a better terminal and facilities.
Summary:
|
Last comments:
 |
- 11/05/01 Only a "useful" Andy, as your report is no longer accurate.
Dublin now has a second terminal, there have been HUGE improvements at the old terminal, with further expansion and refurbishment still ongoing.
There were always good restaurants and bars available (granted they weren't always signposted very well)
Here's an interesting fact for you as well. Dublin actually has more runway capacity than Gatwick, and there are TEN times as many people using the airport today than a decade ago.
Because of the major boom in the economy and tourism here in Ireland, the airport, like the rest of the country, has been caught out a little in terms of infrastructure.
Give it another 5 years, and it will equal, or better, any international airport in Europe.
All the best, (Ken) |
 |
- 05/05/01 Shame about the airport but, like you say, it's the people that are important - Kay |
 |
- 05/05/01 You'll be glad to know that Dublin airport has been refurbished in the last few months. Still has a long way to go but it's getting there! |
|
Deutschland 
España 
Italia 
France - 
