Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
224. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport the status of an application by organisation (details supplied) to fly between Addis Ababa and Dublin via Manchester; if his attention has been drawn to a recent report concerning the organisation in question; if the report will be considered in relation to the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22840/22]
View answer246. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on deliberations regarding an application by an airline (details supplied) for fifth freedom operations in Ireland; his views that, if successful such an application would have a highly detrimental effect on the indigenous airline industry due to competition discrepancies; and if he will therefore commit to rejecting this application. [23262/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 246 together.
The Ireland - Ethiopia Bilateral Air Services Agreement, signed in 2014, allows for the grant of fifth freedom air traffic rights for airlines of both countries, subject to the approval of the respective aeronautical authorities.
Applications for fifth freedom air traffic rights are considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account all relevant considerations and the prevailing situation at the time.
For summer 2022, my department received an application from Ethiopian Airlines to operate a scheduled air service, with fifth freedoms, between Addis Ababa and Dublin, via Manchester. Having completed its evaluation of this application, my department has determined not to approve this scheduled air service.
