asked the Minister for Transport and Power how many short-haul jet aircraft are on order for London-Dublin and Continental routes; and if he will state the price of such aircraft, and when delivery may be expected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Short-haul Jet Aircraft.
32.
As I informed the Deputy in my reply to his Question on 4th December, 1963, Aer Lingus have ordered four short-haul jet aircraft for service primarily on the company's Continental routes; no proposal has been made to me by the company for the purchase of jet aircraft for normal use on the Dublin-London route. The purchase price of the four aircraft, including equipment and development expenses, is approximately £5 million and delivery is expected in the spring of 1965.
Is the date of delivery retarded to what the Minister originally expected it to be?
My most recent information is that there will be no retarding in the date of delivery.
I understand that BEA, co-partners of Aer Lingus, have jet Tridents in the air. Will that not be a disadvantage to Aer Lingus who have ordered BAC-111s?
Aer Lingus made an estimate of the time when it would be desirable to have jet aircraft on the European routes. Their estimate has proved to be satisfactory. There continues to be some increase on the European route and jet aircraft are being introduced at a time when it is estimated that there will be so much competition on these European routes that without them no further increase of traffic could be obtained and in fact that there would be reductions. In the past two years, since these aircraft were ordered, the estimate has been that 1965 would be about the right delivery date.
There will be jet aircraft on this route long before our aircraft will be there.
There has been a considerable number of jet aircraft on the European routes.
Short haul?
They are gradually replacing Viscounts. It is not preventing an increase of traffic on these routes. I think Are Lingus gave the order for just about the right time.
They did not order the right aircraft.
Do you remember the jets in 1948 and that you sold them?
Deputy Esmonde can have his prejudices in regard to that.