Dublin Airport submits planning for plane spotting area

Dublin Airport has submitted a planning application to create a new viewing area for the public to watch planes take off and land on the airport’s runways.

The proposed Aircraft Observation Facility would be located on the site of the current informal airport viewing point on Old Airport Road, locally known as “The Mound”, which Dublin Airport said it fully owns.

“The facility will provide a comfortable 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,” it said in a statement.

The facilities would include a car park with 22 parking spaces – including two spaces for people with reduced mobility and two dedicated family spaces, bike parking, and an elevated covered platform with seating.

The facility would be fully-lit, with power provided by solar panels located on the site.

“Aircraft observation facilities are a feature of airports around the world,” said Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport.

“As well as providing a plane-spotting platform, the facilities also create an interface between the airport and the local community, helping aviation enthusiasts to engage with the airport by observing aircraft movements and airport operations.

“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,” he added.