asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the campaign to encourage Irish exiles in Britain to come home for their holidays, he will take steps to enable Aer Lingus to introduce a new ethnic air fares structure similar to that operated by the Spanish Government through Iberian Airways for Spanish exiles; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ethnic Air Fares.
23.
Mr. O'Donnell
A fare arrangement of the kind in question would not be practicable. It would not be possible to distinguish between emigrants in Britain, who are not required to hold passports, and non-emigrants. Besides, there is already in existence an extensive range of excursion fares, special interest rates, group rates and other forms of incentive fares which effectively reduce travel costs on the cross-Channel air services. In addition, the air companies have devised freeway and gateway packages aimed specifically at the ethnic market which have proved successful this year and which will be continued next year. All of these fares are based on substantial concessions and compare well with the fare reductions referred to in the question.