asked the Minister for Transport and Power the airlines which are operating scheduled services to and from Cork Airport at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Airport.
21.
Aer Lingus and Cambrian Airways operate scheduled services to and from Cork Airport at present.
22.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of passengers who disembarked at Cork Airport in the first five months of 1972; and the figures for the corresponding period in 1971.
The numbers of passengers who disembarked at Cork Airport in the first five months of 1971 and 1972 were as follows:
|
1971 |
32,781 |
|
1972 |
32,146 |
23.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether his Department have any plans for generating more traffic through Cork Airport.
24.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether in view of this country's entry to EEC there are any proposals for additional scheduled and chartered air services between Europe and Cork; and if he will make a statement outlining the likely implications of EEC membership for the future of Cork Airport.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.
Aer Rianta, in conjunction with Aer Lingus, Bord Fáilte and local tourism interests, are continuously seeking to promote the use of Cork Airport. These bodies co-operate in such measures as the sponsoring of visits by foreign journalists to promote the airport as the gateway to the south-west and in circularising foreign travel agents about the advantages of using the airport. For the 1972 summer season Aer Lingus have organised and are operating a series of additional charter flights to and from Cork.
It is not at present possible to make any assessment of the implications of EEC membership for Cork Airport. It is, however, to be expected that there will be some growth in traffic to and from the airport arising from a growth in commercial and tourist activity and in this connection Aer Lingus will be alert to any possibility of developing additional economic air services between Cork and EEC countries.
In view of the excellent tourist attractions in the Ivernia region would the Minister not agree that there should be considerable scope for further development of tourist traffic through Cork Airport? Will the Minister take steps to ensure that more development takes place?
I have already told the Deputy that Bord Fáilte have done special promotional work in order to increase the number of passengers passing through Cork Airport. I have no doubt that they will keep the matter under review.