The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €288 million long-term loan to daa, operator of Dublin and Cork airports, to advance a major decarbonisation and infrastructure upgrade at Dublin Airport.
daa’s CEO Kenny Jacobs stated “Today marks a real step forward for Dublin Airport. With the EIB’s backing, we’re able to push ahead with major upgrades that will make a genuine difference in rolling out EV charging at scale, modernising how we manage water, and switching our terminals to renewable energy sources. These projects aren’t just about cutting emissions; they’re about making the airport work better for everyone including our passengers, customers and staff as well as the wider community. It’s a long-term investment in the future of Dublin Airport and a clear signal of our commitment to sustainability. Dublin Airport is critical national infrastructure, and this new loan from the EIB is a strong vote of confidence in our vision. It shows the EIB’s commitment to mobilising capital for ambitious sustainability upgrades that align with European climate goals, while also supporting Ireland’s economic competitiveness. By electrifying ground operations, improving water management and converting our terminal energy use to cleaner sources, we’ll deliver real, measurable environmental benefits for years to come.”
European Investment Bank Vice President Ioannis Tsakiris, said “Dublin Airport plays a vital role as Ireland’s international gateway and a hub connecting communities and businesses across Europe and the world. The EIB is proud to support this ambitious investment that will make the airport greener, more efficient, and more resilient. Our €288 million financing reflects the EIB’s commitment to help Ireland decarbonise transport infrastructure and lead by example. Over the past decade, the Bank has provided more than €7.6 billion for airport investment across Europe and globally, increasingly focused on environmental and safety improvements and this project demonstrates how sustainable infrastructure can drive both climate action and competitiveness.”
The funding forms part of a €627 million sustainability programme focused on cutting emissions, improving energy and water efficiency, and expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging across the airport campus.
In parallel, daa has secured a €2.335 million grant from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), reinforcing Brussels’ support for cleaner, more resilient transport hubs.
The combined EIB and CEF backing will help make Dublin Airport one of Europe’s leading sustainable gateways, supporting daa’s net-zero ambitions and the EIB’s wider climate action priorities. Projects include major upgrades to water and wastewater systems and the rollout of large-scale EV charging infrastructure.
- Project scope and benefits
- Campus‑wide EV charging infrastructure
- Deployment of high capacity charging systems to enable the transition of airside and landside vehicle fleets to zero emission alternatives, cutting local air pollutants and carbon emissions associated with ground operations. Messaging aligns with prior joint planning to highlight decarbonisation, innovation and operational gains.
- Water and wastewater treatment upgrades
- Modernisation of treatment, monitoring and re‑use systems to improve environmental performance, reduce consumption and enhance resilience during peak operations and future growth.
Image Credit: daa/Robbie Reynolds.
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