Aer Rianta is to seek planning permission for a new €100m runway at Dublin Airport, which would be built by 2006 and opened in 2008.
The airline operator will apply for planning permission next year and site clearing would begin in 2005.
Aer Rianta also recently approved proposals for a new two-storey pier for low-cost airlines at Dublin Airport.
Aer Rianta said the €50m pier, which will be capable of handling 10 million passengers each year, will lead to new routes out of Dublin.