Jim O'Keeffe
Question:51 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Enterprise about the steps she is taking to encourage the re-establishment of a direct Cork-Belfast air service. [3641/01]
Written Answers. - Air Services.
It is my policy to facilitate and encourage a wide range of reliable, regular and competitive commercial air services to and from airports in Ireland in the interest of Irish trade, industry and tourism.
Under European air transport liberalisation measures, any air carrier licensed by a European Economic Area – the 15 member states of the European Union plus Norway and Iceland – may introduce air services on any route within the EEA without any government or EU con trols, subject only to the availability of airport slots at either end of the route and, of course, normal safety requirements. As a result the provision of air services on any particular route is essentially a matter for the commercial judgment of the individual airline.
Jersey European Airlines provided a direct Cork-Belfast city air service from May 1998 until June 2000. That particular service ceased because it did not prove commercially viable. Aer Rianta informs me that discussions are ongoing with a number of carriers and it is reasonably hopeful to have a direct service re-established in the near future.
Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 44.