Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
217. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a subsidy will be put in place to encourage airlines to operate additional flights (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57193/21]
View answerNational policy on aviation aims to enhance Ireland’s connectivity by ensuring safe, secure and competitive access responsive to the needs of business, tourism and consumers. It recognises the important role which regional airports play in their areas and in regional development and undertakes to support these airports to make a sustainable contribution to their local economies and communities, through the Regional Airports Programme. A new Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 was published recently. This Programme, with a budget of €21.3 million in 2021, supports the airports of Kerry, Donegal, and Ireland West..
The Regional Airports Programme also supports Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services to remote regions in accordance with EU Reg 1008/2008. Funding for PSO services is provided directly to the airline(s) contracted by my Department to operate these services.
This Programme supported PSO air services on the Dublin/Kerry and Dublin/Donegal routes up until 12th June 2021, when Stobart Air, the airline contracted to operate these services entered into voluntary liquidation.
As the restoration of regional connectivity was of critical importance to this Government, an emergency procurement process commenced immediately in accordance with EU Reg 1008/2008 governing PSO air services, with a view to restoring air services on these vital regional routes as soon as possible.
While the Dublin/Donegal route continues to be supported as a PSO route, during the procurement process, an airline made an offer to operate the service on the Kerry route but with no subsidy from the State. On foot of this, this route has operated commercially since 28 July 2021.
Given this, the scheduling of earlier morning flights on this route is a commercial matter between the airline and Kerry Airport.
