Vol. 510 No. 6
136 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the efforts, if any, she is making to attract a second scheduled air carrier to Knock airport; if she will make a statement on her Department's view of the importance of this in the context of the airport's location as a regional hub in an Objective One status area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23674/99]
Under European Union air transport liberalisation measures it is open to any air carrier licensed by a European economic area member state (15 EU states and Norway and Iceland) to introduce services between EEA member states. With the completion, in April 1997, of the single European market in air transport, the introduction of services by airlines, the capacity to be provided and the fares to be charged are matters for the commercial judgment of the carriers concerned and there are no longer any Government controls.
Having said that, it will continue to be my policy to encourage as wide a range as possible of reliable, regular and competitive air services to and from Irish airports in the interests of Irish tourism, trade and industry.
