Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2015
230. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of public service obligation air services he subsidises, the details of each service by destination, annual cost and number of passengers carried; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44529/15]
View answerThere are currently two Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services funded by my Department operating between Donegal and Dublin and Kerry and Dublin.
A new contract for these two services commenced on 1 February 2015 following a competitive tendering process. Both routes are operated by Stobart Air at an average cost per annum of €7.6m. This contract will operate for two years initially and subject to a satisfactory review after 18 months, the contract may be extended for an additional year.
Over the ten-month period since the commencement of the new contract on 1 February up to 30 November last, a total 22,800 passengers were carried on the Donegal/Dublin PSO air service and 41,200 on the Kerry/Dublin PSO air service.
