Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2160. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received communications from various members of the business community in Cork city and county regarding the lack of a direct flight from Cork to Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32582/18]
View answer2161. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received communications from various members of the business community in Cork city and county regarding the poor connections from Cork Airport to Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32583/18]
View answer2162. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received communications from various members of the business community in Cork city and county regarding the lack of a direct flight from Cork to Italy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32584/18]
View answer2163. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received communications from various members of the business community in Cork city and county regarding the lack of a direct flight from Cork to Switzerland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32585/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2160 to 2163, inclusive, together.
I did receive an email recently from a member of the business community in Cork in relation to a lack of direct flights from Cork to Brussels, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
Cork Airport announced its summer schedule for 2018 in March, which includes almost two million seats to over 40 destinations, including a number of new destinations. Cork Airport's website details all direct destinations from the airport, both year round and seasonal services. In the cases of Germany, Italy and Switzerland the website lists a number of seasonal routes that are operating to those countries at present.
There has been a 3.5% growth in passenger numbers at Cork for the first half of this year, which follows 3.5% growth last year and over 7% in the previous year.
National aviation policy facilitates and encourages increased connectivity and routes at all of our airports. However, the decision to operate any particular service is ultimately a commercial decision for the airlines.
