Latest news with #GaryMcLean
Irish Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
United Airlines expands capacity on routes from Dublin to US
United Airlines will now operate its daily non-stop Dublin to Chicago routes on a year-round basis and has also expanded its second daily New York/Newark route into the winter months. On Friday, the American airline said it will now offer more flights and seats from Dublin Airport than any other US airline. 'This significant expansion further underlines the importance of Dublin within United's global network,' Karolien De Hertogh, United's UK and Ireland sales director, said. 'Our customers in Ireland will benefit from even greater travel choice in the winter season, with the possibility to seamlessly connect via our hubs in New York/Newark, Chicago O'Hare and Washington DC to over 140 destinations in the Americas.' READ MORE It follows the airline's decision to double the number of flights it operates between Dublin and Washington DC this summer from once to twice daily. [ United Airlines to resume Dublin-Washington DC route Opens in new window ] United also recently increased capacity on its Dublin-Chicago route after introducing a new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. 'More capacity on United Airlines' services from Dublin to New York's Newark and Chicago O'Hare airports is great news for our passengers,' said Gary McLean, Dublin Airport managing director. 'The move to almost year-round operations for the second daily Newark service and year-round for the daily Chicago flight is a clear signal of the strong demand from our American customers.' United said its expansion will increase its overall seat offering from Dublin to the US by 50 per cent for next year, compared with 2024. The carrier also recent announced new routes from New York/Newark hub to Greenland, Bilbao, Palermo and Madeira Island, all of which are currently not served by other US airlines.
Dublin Live
07-06-2025
- Dublin Live
Dublin Airport urgent warning as Irish passengers face passport error
With summer travel expected to hit record levels at Dublin Airport, an important passport warning has been issued to Irish travellers. More than 10 million passengers are set to pass through the airport this summer, marking the busiest season in its history. Over June, July, and August, approximately 3.5 million travellers are expected each month, with flights to 190 destinations operated by 43 airlines. Earlier this week, Managing Director Gary McLean said the airport is focused on ensuring a smooth, enjoyable experience for all. He said: "Summer 2025 is set to be the busiest on record at Dublin Airport and we're determined to make it the best ever for passenger standards. Our passenger satisfaction scores hit an all-time high last year but we're not resting on our laurels, we're rolling out a whole host of further improvements, building on the huge amount we've done over the past three years and continuous passenger feedback. Our aim is to put a smile on the face of every person - young and old - that walks through our doors." Airport operator daa is working hard to keep security wait times under 20 minutes for at least 90% of passengers, despite record daily traffic reaching over 120,000 travelers on peak days. Meanwhile, more seating, family zones, hydration stations and a new Dublin Airport app packed with real-time updates and offers aim to improve the overall journey. However, amid these welcome improvements, a lesser-known but crucial issue has come to light - many flyers are forgetting to sign their Irish passport. One passenger recently shared their experience of being stopped at Dublin Airport for an unsigned passport. They said: "I'm not a stranger to travelling abroad, but on a recent holiday I was given a warning while flying out of Dublin Airport. An airline employee informed me that I was missing a little known detail on my passport. While I had noticed the small space for my signature, I didn't realise it was necessary for it to be signed before I got on a plane. "I've had the same passport for nearly four years and all that time I hadn't written down my signature. Within that time frame, I had also travelled within Europe and to America without being told that it was a requirement. "However, after my experience at Dublin Airport, I was told by several other people that they had also been asked recently to make sure their Irish passport was properly signed too before departing." The confusion partly stems from the passport's design, updated in 2013. Previously, the signature line was prominently placed on the data page beneath the photograph. The current version features a smaller signature space on page three, near the binding, which is easier to overlook. The Irish Passport Service has highlighted how important it is to ensure that your passport is signed. Parents should note that there are different rules for children, depending on their age and ability. They stated: "When you receive your passport, you should sign it. If it is a child's passport, the child should sign it. If the child is not able to sign their name, it should be left blank." Signing your passport is essential for identity verification and validates the document for travel. Meanwhile, the Government is working on a redesigned Irish passport, anticipated for launch in the second quarter of 2026. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin Airport unsigned passport warning as summer travel ramps up
With summer travel expected to hit record levels at Dublin Airport, an important passport warning has been issued to Irish travellers. More than 10 million passengers are set to pass through the airport this summer, marking the busiest season in its history. Over June, July, and August, approximately 3.5 million travellers are expected each month, with flights to 190 destinations operated by 43 airlines. Earlier this week, Managing Director Gary McLean said the airport is focused on ensuring a smooth, enjoyable experience for all. He said: "Summer 2025 is set to be the busiest on record at Dublin Airport and we're determined to make it the best ever for passenger standards. Our passenger satisfaction scores hit an all-time high last year but we're not resting on our laurels, we're rolling out a whole host of further improvements, building on the huge amount we've done over the past three years and continuous passenger feedback. Our aim is to put a smile on the face of every person - young and old - that walks through our doors." Airport operator daa is working hard to keep security wait times under 20 minutes for at least 90% of passengers, despite record daily traffic reaching over 120,000 travelers on peak days. Meanwhile, more seating, family zones, hydration stations and a new Dublin Airport app packed with real-time updates and offers aim to improve the overall journey. However, amid these welcome improvements, a lesser-known but crucial issue has come to light - many flyers are forgetting to sign their Irish passport. One passenger recently shared their experience of being stopped at Dublin Airport for an unsigned passport. They said: "I'm not a stranger to travelling abroad, but on a recent holiday I was given a warning while flying out of Dublin Airport. An airline employee informed me that I was missing a little known detail on my passport. While I had noticed the small space for my signature, I didn't realise it was necessary for it to be signed before I got on a plane. "I've had the same passport for nearly four years and all that time I hadn't written down my signature. Within that time frame, I had also travelled within Europe and to America without being told that it was a requirement. "However, after my experience at Dublin Airport, I was told by several other people that they had also been asked recently to make sure their Irish passport was properly signed too before departing." The confusion partly stems from the passport's design, updated in 2013. Previously, the signature line was prominently placed on the data page beneath the photograph. The current version features a smaller signature space on page three, near the binding, which is easier to overlook. The Irish Passport Service has highlighted how important it is to ensure that your passport is signed. Parents should note that there are different rules for children, depending on their age and ability. They stated: "When you receive your passport, you should sign it. If it is a child's passport, the child should sign it. If the child is not able to sign their name, it should be left blank." Signing your passport is essential for identity verification and validates the document for travel. Meanwhile, the Government is working on a redesigned Irish passport, anticipated for launch in the second quarter of 2026.
Dublin Live
30-05-2025
- Business
- Dublin Live
New Dublin Airport plane viewing facility given green light
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Planning permission to to build improved viewing facilities for the public to watch planes take off and land at Dublin Airport has been granted by Fingal County Council. The approval comes after daa recently provided Fingal County Council with additional information regarding a proposal submitted last year to significantly enhance the site of the current informal airport viewing point on Old Airport Road, locally known as "The Mound". When complete, the facility will provide a comfortable, dry and safe space for the community to view aircraft movements, with a clear view of the south runway (10R/28L) and the cross-wind runway (16/34) at Dublin Airport. The site is fully owned by Dublin Airport and daa will pay for the construction of the free-to-access facility as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting and working with the local community. The proposal will see the existing muddy grass mound and the adjacent informal parking area replaced with a dedicated car park. This will include spaces for people with reduced mobility and families, bike parking, and an elevated covered platform with seating. The facility will be fully-lit, with power provided by solar panels located on the site. Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport, said: "This news will be cheered by locals, families and aviation enthusiasts all around the Dublin region. The public reaction to our proposal, which we'll pay for, has been incredibly positive and people really want it. This location has been an informal 'plane-spotting' area over the past 40 years and we think it's time to put a more formal facility in place. It's a rite of passage for kids in Dublin to be taken to 'The Mound' to watch the planes landing and taking off at the airport. This new facility will make it safer and more enjoyable for users and we think it's a facility that the local community will really enjoy. "Aircraft observation facilities are a feature of airports around the world, and we want to get on and build this as soon as possible. We look forward to working with the planning authority to deliver this much-wanted public amenity which will be used by locals young and old for decades to come. daa will now begin the process of identifying a contractor to bring our new facility to life and will provide an update on timelines very soon.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Dublin Airport viewing area cleared for take-off
Dublin Airport has secured planning permission from Fingal County Council to build improved viewing facilities for the public to watch aircraft take off and land on its runways. The approval comes after DAA provided the local authority with additional information on the proposal, which it submitted last year. It is aiming to significantly enhance the site of the current informal airport viewing point – a layby locally known as 'The Mound' – in operation for more than 40 years, on the Old Airport Road. DAA is to build a permanent, sheltered facility for people to watch aircraft taking off and landing. READ MORE 'When complete, the facility will provide a comfortable, dry and safe space for the community to view aircraft movements, with a clear view of the south runway and the crosswind runway at the airport,' it said. The site is owned by the airport and construction of the free-to-access facility will be paid for by DAA 'as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting and working with the local community'. [ DAA's plan to build a facility for Dublin Airport plane spotters delayed at planning stage Opens in new window ] The existing muddy grass mound and the adjacent informal parking area will be replaced with a dedicated car park (including spaces for people with reduced mobility and families), bike parking and an elevated covered platform with seating. It will be fully-lit with power provided by solar panels. Airport managing director Gary McLean said: 'This news will be cheered by locals, families and aviation enthusiasts all around the Dublin region. The public reaction to our proposal has been incredibly positive and people really want it. 'It's a rite of passage for kids in Dublin to be taken to 'The Mound' to watch the planes landing and taking off at the airport. This new facility will make it safer and more enjoyable for users and we think it's a facility that the local community will really enjoy.'
