Ireland’s planning board, An Coimisiún Pleanála, has officially approved the ambitious MetroLink project, a groundbreaking transport initiative set to connect Dublin city centre to its airport. Scheduled to commence operations by the early 2030s, the €9.5 billion (£8.16 billion) project will span 19.4 kilometers, featuring 16 predominantly underground stations. The MetroLink aims to seamlessly link the north and south sides of Dublin, with trains operating every three minutes during peak hours, capable of transporting up to 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction. Irish Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, hailed the decision as a transformative milestone for North Dublin, the city, and the airport, emphasizing its potential to drive growth, create jobs, and support housing development. The MetroLink route will extend from Swords in the north to Charlemont Street in the south, integrating with existing DART and Luas transport systems. Ryan expressed confidence in delivering the project on time and within budget, noting that the €9.5 billion cost estimate was ‘excessively cautious and conservative.’ Dublin Airport’s operator, DAA, praised the MetroLink as a ‘key element’ in the airport’s expansion beyond 40 million passengers annually, highlighting its role in bolstering tourism, foreign investment, trade, and job creation. While the project has received planning approval, it awaits final Cabinet endorsement before construction can begin. The construction phase is expected to span several years, with the ultimate costs yet to be determined.