asked the Minister for Transport if he proposes to initiate any new plans to generate additional traffic at Cork Airport during 1981.
Written Answers. - Cork Airport Traffic.
460.
Aer Rianta, who manage Cork Airport on my behalf, are carrying out a traffic promotional campaign in 1981 covering the following markets—Britain, France, Holland, Belgium and Switzerland. The company works closely with the airlines, travel agents and tourism interests in developing traffic from these markets. Attractive incentives are offered on a non-discriminatory basis to airlines and handling agents who introduce new services or promote charter groups to travel through Cork Airport. Aer Rianta are producing a special promotional film on the airport which will be used in the British and European Tourism Workshops as part of the Cork Airport promotional campaign for 1981.
With effect from 13 April 1981 Dan Air is inaugurating a new Cork — Gatwick service which will operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday using BAC 111 aircraft. Additionally, in response to requests from Aer Lingus and the local travel trade, special arrangements have been made to allow a number of night-time charter flights to take place at the airport during the period May to October 1981.
Preliminary figures indicate that Cork traffic is running at approximately 4 per cent up on 1980 figures for the first quarter of the year.