The Aer Rianta board yesterday announced it has approved a new two-storey pier at Dublin Airport for low-cost airlines. A temporary facility for fast turnaround facilities will be put in place by the State-owned airport firm for the 2003 tourism season pending completion of the new pier in 2004.

The pier will have a capacity for 10 million passengers annually and will cost about €50 million. The airport authority is understood to be in negotiation with two low-cost airlines about the possibility of their using the airport. Ryanair already operates flights from Dublin Airport.