asked the Minister for Transport and Power the reason for curtailing the landings of charter flights organised by a Canadian tour operator (name supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Canadian Charter Flights.
30.
As I explained to the House on Tuesday evening on the motion on tourism taken during Private Members' Business, I must ensure when considering applications for authorisations for charter flights to and from Ireland, that scheduled services are not unduly affected. I am satisfied that the programme proposed by the Canadian operator would cause substantial diversion of traffic from the scheduled services and would jeopardise the future of these services between this country, Canada and Chicago. Consequently, I decided to limit the charter programme so as to allow a reasonable increase over the services provided last year.