T1X Opens to the Public

T1X opened its doors to the traveling public today, a full five weeks ahead of schedule.

The gleaming new terminal extension welcomed its first passengers at 5am as they made their way to early morning flights from Piers A and D.

The first 6,000 passengers were presented with a special T1X goody bag containing chocolates, perfume, cosmetics and water.

The first customer at each of the fifteen till points in the new extension also received a gift of a Philips digital clock radio with photo frame.

DAA director of infrastructure development, Colm Moran, described the opening of T1X ahead of time as a huge achievement and a very significant milestone in the Transforming Dublin Airport programme.

He said the new building was "a taster for T2" next year.

Work on T1X started in February 2007. A team of 12 GPCP personnel was involved in the 7,500 square metre project The construction contractor was McNamara. The detailed design team comprised Murray O'Laoire, O'Conner Sutton Cronin and IN2. At peak construction, 220 people worked on site.

Colm Moran said T1X had been a tightly managed project on a tight budget and on a constrained site. He said there had been superb collaboration throughout between retail, GPCP and the contractors.

He stressed the energy efficiency, sustainability and functionality of the building design.

T1X project manager Iain Heath said getting the building open five weeks early was a massive achievement.

He described it as "a really, really good job" which had been delivered on time and on budget.

DAA head of retail Gerry Crawford said the new extension featured some fantastic new brands which were available in very few other airports.

He said T1X was very new and filled with light. It was what people expected to find at international airports these days. He described the catering facilities in the extension as world class.

DAA marketing communications manager Cathy Burke said the goody bags would be given out on a first come, first served, basis. But passengers will be eligible for spot prizes throughout the day.

Willie Dillon