Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014
135. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made in establishing a direct air link between Ireland and China; if he has been in contact with his Chinese counterpart on this matter; if he has discussed this issue with Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland; if Tourism Ireland has a strategy to encourage more Chinese tourists here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7613/14]
View answerIreland has a bilateral air transport agreement with China since 1998. The agreement provides the legal framework for scheduled air services between the two countries and under the agreement it is open to any Irish, EU or Chinese airline to operate services between the two countries subject to the terms of the agreement. The establishment of such a service, however, has to be market driven and would be a commercial decision for any airline interested in initiating such a service.
Enhanced air access to key tourism and business markets such as China has always been a key element of Ireland’s aviation policy. I would very much welcome direct services to China and have no doubt that such a service would be of benefit to trade, tourism and other relations between both countries.
The Irish airports and Tourism Ireland have attractive incentive and marketing programmes available to help support new services and I am aware the DAA have had discussions with Chinese airlines about the possibility of a service. The DAA recently signed a twining agreement with Beijing Capital International Airport. The agreement is designed to enable the two airports to engage in a joint marketing initiative to deliver direct airline services between Dublin and Beijing. I intend to visit China later this year as part of a tourism and transport trade mission. As part of that I will seek to promote the value of such a route to my counterparts in the Chinese government and to the aviation and tourism industry there more generally.
In the meantime, Ireland does have extensive one-stop connectivity with many Chinese cities through the established European hubs such as Heathrow, Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt. In addition connectively with China has improved considerably since the commencement of Etihad’s services to/from Abu Dhabi in 2007 and more recently Emirates services to and from Dubai in 2012.
Tourism Ireland has set an overall target of growing visit numbers by a further 4% this year and by 13% more than the 2013 figure by 2016. The agency's Business Plan for 2014 and Corporate Plan for 2014-2016 include a number of actions to maximise the number of visitors from developing markets, including China. I am referring this aspect of the Deputy’s question to Tourism Ireland for a direct reply with further details. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
