asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction is felt by passengers who embark on Aer Lingus planes from British airports due to the surcharge of 5/- which is imposed on them by the British Ministry of Civil Aviation and which is collected by Aer Lingus officials; and, if so, if he will have representations made to the British authorities to have this levy abolished; and, further, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Surcharge on Air Passengers.
The passenger service charge of 5/- is imposed by the British authorities and is payable in respect of each passenger embarking at a British State airport and applies to all international air services as well as those of Aer Lingus. It is payable by the airlines in addition to the fees for aircraft landings and it is for that reason that airline officials collect the charge from their passengers. I have already considered this matter fully, and I do not feel that I would be justified in making representations to the British authorities. It has been announced by the British authorities that it is proposed to withdraw the passenger service charge next spring and to raise compensatory revenue by means of increases in landing fees.
Is it not a fact that the first nation that had that charge imposed on it was this nation?
No. The British authorities apply it to all international air services.
I think that if the Minister would look into the matter again he will find that Aer Lingus was the first company on which it was imposed.
The Deputy is misinformed. Aer Lingus does not impose the charge. The British authorities impose it on all international air services.
Aer Lingus were asked to impose it. I know that Aer Lingus do not impose the charge. It is the British Ministry for Civil Aviation which does so. Aer Lingus was the first company in Ireland which was asked to impose the charge. Subsequently France imposed the charge but not before.
It applies to all international air services using a British State airport.