Dublin Airport receives €288 million EIB loan to decarbonise operations

Dublin Airport, operated by daa plc, has received a €288 million loan from the European Investment Bank to support decarbonisation and sustainability initiatives at Ireland’s busiest aviation hub. The funding forms part of a wider €627 million investment programme aimed at cutting carbon emissions and improving air quality across the airport campus.

The project includes large-scale EV charging infrastructure for airside and landside vehicle fleets, upgrades to water and wastewater systems, and modernisation of energy use within terminals. These measures will enhance resource efficiency, reduce emissions, and support cleaner energy use.

The loan builds on a longstanding EIB partnership with daa, which has previously backed terminal expansions, runway upgrades, and airfield infrastructure improvements. The funding is complemented by a €2.335 million ($2.7 million) grant from the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility.

Dublin Airport has also expanded its onsite solar farm, installing over 15,000 panels in Phase 1, generating 10%–13% of the airport’s annual electricity needs. Phase 2, planned for 2027, will add 6,000 panels to further reduce reliance on the national grid.

The airport has electrified 81% of its light vehicle fleet and transitioned 100% of heavy vehicles to hydrotreated vegetable oil or electric power. Dublin Airport is also exploring sustainable aviation fuels, hydrogen, and electric flight, and collaborating with public transport projects to reduce passenger emissions.

These combined measures aim to exceed Ireland’s public sector target of 50% energy efficiency improvement under the National Climate Action Plan.

Read the full report for detailed project insights and timelines.