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Air Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Questions (717)

Ann Phelan

Question:

717. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the withdrawal, by Aer Lingus of its services, provided in this instance by its subsidiary, Aer Arann, to the UK airports, London Luton, London Southend, and Manchester from Waterford Airport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52561/12]

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Written answers

The decision by Aer Arann, operating as Aer Lingus Regional, to suspend the services mentioned between Waterford and the UK in January 2013, is regrettable. It was, nonetheless, a commercial decision that the airline decided to make as it believed that it could no longer sustain the losses it was incurring on these routes. The air transport market in the European Union is completely liberalised so airlines are free to decide what routes they will serve based on their own commercial judgements taking account of the demand for services. I understand that the airline is currently concluding a strategic growth plan and has not ruled out returning to Waterford at some point in the future, if the business case can be justified. I know, also, that Waterford is in discussions with other airlines about new or replacement services.

The air transport market to and from Ireland is highly competitive with a very significant number of airlines operating services. It is, of course, open to any Irish or European airline to operate services from Waterford or any other Irish airport.

In relation to support for Waterford Airport more generally, there is very significant state support provided to this airport. As the Deputy will be aware it is one of the four regional airports that is in receipt of funding (both current and capital) under the Regional Airports Programme. This is in line with recommendations of the Value for Money Review on the Regional Airports Programme published in 2011, which recommended to reduce the number of airports in this scheme.

As part of this, I recently approved €1.2m for Waterford Airport under the Core Airport Management Operational Expenditure Subvention 2012 Scheme. This is the highest level of support provided to any of the four regional airports under this scheme, representing 49.6% of the total funding available under the scheme. 

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