Joe Walsh
Question:25 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the measures, if any, he has taken to have Dublin common-rated with London for the long haul airline markets. [8395/95]
Written Answers. - Airline Common Rating Agreements.
Tony Killeen
Question:62 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the measures, if any has he taken to have Dublin commonrated with London for the long haul airline markets. [8461/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 62 together.
Common-rating agreements, which are essentially inter-airline arrangements, can greatly facilitate tourism growth from long haul destinations and I welcome their development.
Already, common rating agreements over London have been in place for a number of years by Aer Lingus with carriers from Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Last year, as part of a new tourism drive there, these agreements were extended especially in the Australian market to cover more carriers and more fares and, in addition, Cork and Shannon were also common rated out of London. Promotional moneys were specifically allocated by my Department to market these new arrangements in Australia and New Zealand.
Recently, agreement has, I understand, been reached by Aer Lingus with Emirate Airlines to common-rate Dublin from Abu Dhabi/Dubai/Doha and Muscat with London, Manchester and major European cities and these new arrangements too will be promoted by my the extra funding allocated by my Department for this purpose.
I am anxious to see common rating arrangements expanded to other long haul markets in line with the objectives set in the special promotional package which my Department has provided. It is, therefore, pleasing to note that Aer Lingus are also in negotiations with partners in Singapore/Bangkok, Hong Kong and South Africa and I am confident that, when these negotiations are completed, they will lead to even further tourism growth, largely from new marketing areas.