Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
405. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the post-Covid-19 restoration of air passenger and cargo transport has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15887/21]
View answerThe Irish aviation sector is critical to economic development by providing a key enabler of international trade and business, including foreign direct investment and tourism. For this reason, aviation policy has for decades placed a priority on international connectivity.
The Irish aviation sector is currently experiencing its most challenging crisis in its history. Many analysts are predicting that it will take several years for the sector to return to 2019 levels of activity. Traffic in 2020 was down around 80% on 2019, and revenue has fallen away dramatically as COVID-19 related restrictions on international travel continue to heavily constrain passenger traffic. All service providers in the industry, apart from those substantially or exclusively dedicated to air cargo, have had no option but to radically address their cost base and seek to safeguard liquidity. Alongside rationalisation measures, the major service providers are shoring up their finances through increased borrowings or raising new capital.
There have been a steadily increasing number of protocols, restrictions, and requirements regarding international travel, which have developed and evolved as the pandemic has progressed with the objective of limiting the spread of COVID-19.
The National Civil Aviation Development Forum (NCADF) was established in February 2016, bringing together senior stakeholders in the aviation industry, mostly at chief executive level, to focus on a strategy to enhance the competitiveness of Irish aviation and develop opportunities for growth across the industry value chain including, but going beyond, the core airport and airline services.
On 5 March 2021, a special meeting of the Steering Committee of the NCADF was convened, under the joint chairmanship of Minster Ryan and myself, to provide an opportunity for members of the Committee, together with some other senior leaders from Irish aviation, to air views on the recovery of the sector.
It is clear there is a need to develop a plan for the reopening of international travel as soon as circumstances allow and the NCADF has agreed to bring forward industry views on this.
Proposals for a plan on the restart and recovery of the Irish aviation sector will be brought forward for Government consideration when the time is right taking account of public health advice of the Department of Health, the views of the NCADF and developments at EU and international level.
