(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Transport and Power (1) the number of east-west and west-east transatlantic flights carried out by Aer Rianta annually since its inception, (2) the number of annual landings made at Shannon Airport in transatlantic flights by non-Irish commercial airlines during the past ten years, and (3) the number of transatlantic overflights made by non-Irish commercial airlines annually during the past ten years respecting (a) the Shannon Airport area and (b) the national territory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transatlantic Air Services.
31.
The Irish transatlantic air service is operated by Aerlinte and not by Aer Rianta. I propose with the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out, as far as it is available, the information requested by the Deputy.
I should add that the figures given do not convey anything like the full picture no doubt sought by the Deputy in relation to the use of Shannon Airport as the size and weight of transatlantic aircraft has increased in the last four years.
Following is the statement:
SHANNON AIRPORT
(1) Transatlantic flights by Aerlinte aircraft.
|
Year |
East/ West |
West/ East |
Total |
|
*1958 (8 months) |
179 |
180 |
359 |
|
1959 |
233 |
233 |
466 |
|
1960 |
251 |
251 |
502 |
|
1961 |
335 |
336 |
671 |
|
1962 (11 months) |
438 |
438 |
876 |
* Aerlinte commenced operations on 28th April, 1958.
(2) Transatlantic aircraft landings by non-Irish airlines.
|
Year |
Landings |
|
1952 |
5,926 |
|
1953 |
6,743 |
|
1954 |
7,758 |
|
1955 |
10,159 |
|
1956 |
10,863 |
|
1957 |
10,201 |
|
1958 |
10,876 |
|
1959 |
8,429 |
|
1960 |
7,143 |
|
1961 |
6,162 |
|
1962 (11 months) |
4,677 |
(3) The following are the figures of Commercial flights through Shanwick (Joint Shannon and Prestwick) Oceanic control area on routes from Europe and U.K. to U.S.A. and Canada.
|
Year |
Number of flights |
|
1952 |
2,956 |
|
1953 |
3,879 |
|
1954 |
4,091 |
|
1955 |
5,478 |
|
1956 |
7,969 |
|
1957 |
12,695 |
|
1958 |
18,725 |
|
1959 |
20,667 |
|
1960 |
22,428 |
|
1961 |
27,127 |
|
1962 (11 months) |
30,856 |
As the statistics are compiled by reference to air traffic control areas the figures of overflights of the national territory are not available.