Dublin Airport has received €288 million in long-term financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to accelerate operational excellence through large-scale infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving energy efficiency, decarbonising operations, and optimising resource use.

The funding contributes to daa’s €627 million sustainability investment programme, which includes developing a campus-wide electric vehicle (EV) charging network and upgrading water and wastewater systems. These initiatives are designed to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency, and improve the operational resilience of Ireland’s busiest international gateway.

In addition to the EIB loan, the airport secured a €2.3 million grant from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), reinforcing the shared European goal of modernising transport infrastructure while meeting environmental targets. The investment aligns with the EIB’s climate action strategy and daa’s commitment to decarbonisation and long-term operational improvement.

daa CEO Kenny Jacobs said the project will help the airport scale up EV charging, adopt renewable energy sources, and improve water management, strengthening performance and sustainability simultaneously. The initiatives are expected to lower operating costs, streamline maintenance processes, and reduce environmental impact.

The partnership builds on more than three decades of collaboration between the EIB and daa, which has funded critical developments such as terminal expansions, airfield upgrades, and runway improvements. This latest phase continues that legacy by embedding sustainability principles into core airport operations.

EIB Vice President Ioannis Tsakiris emphasised that Dublin Airport remains central to Ireland’s connectivity and competitiveness, noting that the Bank has provided over €7.6 billion for airport investment globally over the past decade — increasingly focused on operational safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Read the full report to explore how EIB funding is shaping operational excellence in Ireland’s aviation sector.