asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the growing concern at Shannon Airport as a result of the substantial decline in traffic there during 1980; if he proposes to initiate any new plans to generate additional traffic in 1981; and if he will make a statement outlining the future prospects for this airport in relation to aviation, tourism and ancillary activities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport Traffic.
25.
I am aware of, and indeed share, the concern at the decline in traffic at Shannon Airport this year. This decline is largely the result of a sharp reduction in 1980 in transit traffic which has shown a downward trend since 1977. I am hopeful that this trend will be reversed next year and that we can expect a modest growth in both transit and total traffic at Shannon. Aer Rianta and the Shannon Free Airport Development Company with primary responsibility in this area will of course vigorously pursue all opportunities to increase traffic to and through the airport. They will be supported in their activities by the efforts of Aer Lingus and Bord Fáilte to attract tourists to Ireland.
The Government are fully committed to the continued development of Shannon as Ireland's sole trans-Atlantic gateway, and with the efforts of the specialised agencies I have no doubt that traffic at Shannon will shortly resume a pattern of growth.
Could the Minister be a bit more specific about whether any progress had been made on definite proposals for the development of the airport? For example, what is the position regarding the proposed aviation training school? What is the position regarding the proposal for an aviation engineering complex there? What is the position regarding other proposals which were put to the Minister over the past 12 months by many groups and by me? Could he be specific about the aviation college and the aviation engineering complex at Shannon?
There is considerable activity by SFADCo and Aer Rianta at Shannon. Specifically, so far as Aer Rianta are concerned the development of the Soviet fuel farm is going ahead and is quite successful with about 175 transits this year and it is hoped to have that increased to about 500 next year. It might be possible to have that facility extended to other eastern bloc operators. That would be of enormous benefit to the Shannon area. It is hoped that the US customs pre-clearance arrangement which is the subject of considerable negotiations at this time may be finalised. That would be of enormous benefit to Shannon. Hopefully it will be possible to bring that forward in the not too distant future.
I agree with the Minister that a customs clearance facility would be of enormous benefit to Shannon. Is the Minister hopeful that progress can be made with the American authority and that a decision can be made in relation to this proposal for customs clearance?
It is hoped that that would provide an additional 500 transit fights per annum if we can conclude the agreement. In fairness the American side of the negotiations is virtually completed.
In replying to Question No. 25 the Minister confirmed that Shannon will remain the main western airport for international traffic. Will the Minister indicate how Shannon would relate to the proposed airport at Knock and whether Knock will be kept at the level of a regional local airport?
That does not relate to this question.
It was never intended that the airport in County Mayo would supplant the international gateway at Shannon. It is at a different level of operation.
A final supplementary now from Deputy O'Donnell.
The Minister in his reply said that it was the determination of the Government to maintain Shannon as our sole trans-Atlantic airport. In pursuance of that will the Minister ask his senior Minister and the Government to pursue the possibility of asking Aer Lingus to turn about their trans-Atlantic fleet at Shannon as they did during the Aer Lingus strike? If we are serious about declaring Shannon as our main trans-Atlantic airport the Aer Lingus trans-Atlantic fleet should be based at Shannon and it should operate from there.
The Government's commitment is clear. They will maintain Shannon as the gateway to the North Atlantic and will pursue all measures and negotiations with all concerned to keep that situation as it is now.