asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications for licences to operate scheduled services from Waterford airport received by his Department: and when he expects to be in a position to allocate licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Airport Licence Applications.
14.
Two companies have lodged applications with the Department of Transport for authorisations to operate scheduled services from the new airport being provided at Waterford. One application relates to services between Waterford and a number of cross-channel points: the other relates to internal services between Waterford and Dublin. Other operators have expressed general interest in using local airports, including Waterford, as part of an integrated internal network.
Work on construction of facilities at Waterford is continuing and is not expected to be completed for some months. Pending completion of the works to the satisfaction of the Department of Transport, the provision of the necessary support services and the licensing of the airport by the Department's aeronautical services, it would not be possible to contemplate authorisation of any public transport air services from the airport.
The range of services to be provided from local airports such as Waterford will be among the subject matters to be examined in the policy review relating to local airports which I announced in the course of my contribution to the budget debate on 4 February last.
Is the Minister aware that the airport construction work will be completed by June? Is he further aware that, in order to ensure the viability of the airport, it is important to ensure that adequate scheduled services will be available from it? In this context, would the Minister view with urgency the applications for licences to fly in and out of the airport on a scheduled basis? When will the consideration of the licensing of the airport be completed?
The Minister is aware that satisfactory progress is being made towards the provision of the airport. He is also concerned that proper licensing should take place as far as the runway is concerned and the scheduled services which will operate there. Every effort will be made to do whatever is necessary to provide Waterford with the best possible air services.
Can I take it from the Minister's reply that the question of issuing a licence for the airport itself and issuing licences in respect of scheduled services into and out of that airport will coincide to a large extent, so that there will be no lacuna on completion of the construction works and the introduction of scheduled services?
The Deputy can rest assured that once the licensing of the airport is finalised, there will be no delay whatsoever in providing the necessary licences for the operators.