Vol. 510 No. 6
132 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the way in which Aer Lingus plans to route Newark flights through Dublin this winter; the plans, if any, she has to introduce a feeder service on the Shannon-Dublin leg of the Los Angeles service; the impact of this on the requirements of the current bilateral agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23495/99]
The arrangements governing access to Dublin and Shannon for services between Ireland and the US which were agreed with the United States in 1993 were designed to ensure that during every 12 month period commencing 1 April, any airline serving the Ireland/US market must, taking all of its flights on all routes together, operate at least as many flights to Shannon as to Dublin. My Department monitors the operations of all airlines operating such services to ensure that this requirement is met.
Aer Lingus have informed my Department that due to aircraft shortages during the period 25 October 1999 to 19 December 1999 arising from their winter aircraft overhaul programme, the airline is making changes to their normal winter schedules in relation to their Newark and Los Angeles services. These revisions result in lower frequencies on the Newark service to Shannon and Dublin and also involve a feeder service between Shannon and Dublin for their Los Angeles service during this period. My Department is satisfied that these revisions do not in any way conflict with the requirement which I set out above.
