Jimmy Deenihan
Question:63 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her plans for the future viability of Shannon airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29788/01]
Written Answers. - Air Services.
Shannon Airport has experienced extremely good growth in passenger throughput in recent years. Over the past two years, 1999 and 2000, traffic through Shannon Airport increased by in excess of 0.5 million passengers representing growth of more than 30% on 1998 levels. Passenger traffic for the first nine months of this year reached almost 2 million.
The dreadful events in the US in September are having a dramatic impact on the aviation sector throughout the world and particularly on travel to and from the US.
I greatly regret the reduction in services across the Aer Lingus network and capacity cutbacks by other carriers operating in Ireland which have an impact on all three State airports, including Shannon Airport. As the Deputy will be aware, Aer Lingus terminated its transatlantic services to Newark and Baltimore and reduced services to Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago. The Delta daily service to JFK has also been terminated, at least for the winter. Some other services from Shannon on domestic, UK and European routes have also been terminated or curtailed as a result of the current downturn in the global aviation market.
I would expect that when confidence in air travel, particularly in the US, is re-established and the aviation market recovers generally, the strong growth curve at Shannon Airport will resume. In this regard the adoption of the survival plan for Aer Lingus is vital to secure the position of the company and will provide a strong base for sustainable future growth when the market recovers.
In this regard also, I very much welcome the announcement last month by Aer Rianta to extend its zero charges incentive scheme for airlines which launch new routes into the three State airports. In the case of new routes at Shannon, Aer Rianta extended the period for zero airport charges from three to four years and the company will also provide marketing support for the promotion of new routes.
I emphasise, as I have done on numerous previous occasions, that Government policy on transatlantic services at Shannon Airport remains unchanged. The Government recently confirmed the continuation of the policy in relation to transatlantic services at Shannon in the context of its consideration of the difficult situation in Aer Lingus.
The Government is committed to maintaining a viable Shannon Airport as well as a viable Aer Lingus. I am confident that, despite the current difficulties in the aviation sector, the future viability of Shannon Airport is secure and it will continue to grow and prosper, continuing its valuable contribution to balanced regional development.
Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 36.