Go editor Miriam Donohoedefends Dublin airport's much-maligned Pier D
"Okay, all you airport whingers out there. Hear this, as you prepare to lift off from Dublin airport on your summer holidays in the coming weeks.
For those of you going to continental destinations, chances are you will depart from Dublin airport's Pier D, the new €120 million facility that opened in December and caters for about 27,000 passengers a day. It is used mainly by low-cost airlines for short-haul aircraft on routes to Britain and continental Europe.
It is connected to the existing terminal building by a 350m skybridge, which allows passengers a view over the airfield. The skybridge replaces the heavily criticised prefabricated walkway to temporary boarding gates.
Chances are you have heard nothing but bad things about Pier D. That it is too crowded. That the building is ugly and lacks atmosphere. That the walk to the boarding gates is hours from check-in. That going through security takes ages. That you can't get a decent cup of coffee. That your flight will be late.
I have flown from Pier D twice in the past six weeks - once to the UK with Ryanair and the other time to Lisbon with Aer Lingus. Okay, so security check-in takes about 10 minutes and the walk to Pier D and the boarding gate about 10-15, but once you know to give yourself enough time that is no problem. For people who are disabled wheelchairs are provided, and there are lots of moving walkways.
It is a big, glassy, modern building. I think it looks great. There is a bar, a Hughes and Hughes, and a very good coffee bar. It is airy and spacious and, while I had no delays with either of my flights, you could be delayed in worse places. So stop whingeing!