Dublin Airport said on Monday that on Tuesday, “a little bit of history will be made” when a 747-8 aircraft will arrive for the first time ever in Dublin, making it the largest-ever commercial aircraft to arrive at Dublin Airport.
The Air China aircraft, carrying Chinese Premier Li Qiang, is scheduled to arrive into Dublin Airport shortly after 7 pm on Tuesday. It is expected to arrive on Dublin Airport's southern runway, depending on weather and operating conditions.
Premier Li, who is traveling from the World Economic Forum in Davos, will arrive at Dublin Airport on Tuesday at the start of a two-day visit to Ireland, during which he will meet with President Michael D. Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, before departing from Dublin Airport on the same aircraft on Wednesday afternoon.
Dublin Airport noted that the Boeing 747-8 aircraft has a wingspan of 68 meters and is 76 meters long, which is bigger than the current largest commercial aircraft to land at Dublin Airport - the B747-400 which has a wingspan measuring 64 meters and is 71 long.
The largest aircraft of any kind to land at Dublin Airport is the military Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, with a wingspan of 67 metres and a length of 75 metres, which last visited Dublin in 2019.
“This will be the biggest commercial aircraft to ever land at Dublin Airport and will join the long list of landmark moments in the long history of the airport, which this week celebrates its 84th birthday," Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager at daa, the operator of Dublin Airport, said on Monday.
“The runways at Dublin Airport have just about seen it all over the past eight decades, from numerous US Presidents, through to The Beatles and several Popes, but this is a first and the arrival of a 747-8 aircraft will mark yet another significant milestone for the airport.
“The team at Dublin Airport is looking forward to welcoming Premier Li, his delegation and all of the passengers on board the 747-8 on Tuesday evening.”
A little bit of history will be made at Dublin Airport tomorrow night when we will welcome a 747-8 - the largest ever commercial aircraft to arrive at Dublin Airport. The plane, carrying Chinese Premier Li Qiang, will arrive shortly after 7pm. ✈️
⏩ https://t.co/34yPDI40rq pic.twitter.com/6SHNKJdYKa
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) January 15, 2024
Premier Li is set to have a bilateral meeting and working lunch at Farmleigh House in Dublin with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Wednesday.
“I look forward to extending a warm welcome to Premier Li on his first visit to Ireland,” Varadkar said ahead of the Chinese Premier’s arrival.
"It comes in a year in which we will mark 45 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. China is one of the world's great powers politically and economically and I am glad that Premier Li has decided to include Ireland in his itinerary.
"China is an important economic partner, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and has a huge role to play in overcoming the shared challenges the world faces, including working for peace and security in the world and ensuring we stop climate change.
"Under our Asia-Pacific Strategy, the Government is also committed to growing our bilateral political, economic and people to people relationships throughout the region, including with China.
"I look forward to what I hope will be an in-depth and constructive discussion on issues where we are of like-mind, as well as those on which we have a different perspective.”
Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána confirmed last week that traffic measures, although "minimal," will be in place for the visit, which will be "concentrated in the Dublin area including the Phoenix Park and Dublin South City Centre."
An Garda Síochána said that Phoenix Park will be closed to all access, traffic, and pedestrians from 7 pm on Tuesday until 7 pm on Wednesday. Arrangements will be in place for access for residents, staff, and stakeholders only at Chapelizod Gate (exit from Chapelizod Gate) and Cabra Gate (exit via North Circular Road Gate).
An Garda Síochána said real-time updates will be provided, where appropriate and required, on An Garda Síochána Social Media platforms.
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