Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 November 2022
38. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received a public service obligation application from management of Shannon Airport in respect of establishing a route to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55641/22]
View answerAs recently advised to the Deputy, my Department is considering a request from Shannon Airport in relation to the establishment of a Public Service Obligation (PSO) route to provide EU Hub connectivity from Shannon Airport.
As the Deputy has been informed, while the establishment of air services is a commercial matter between airports, airlines and other market actors, the Regional Airports Programme provides for a PSO air services scheme. However, over the past 10 years Ireland has significantly rationalised PSO air services, with only one such route now supported under this scheme between Donegal and Dublin.
Given that it would be a significant shift to expand Government policy for the support of PSO services beyond that of support on domestic routes, the potential impact of such a policy, not only on the Exchequer but also on similar routes operating on a commercial basis from other regional airports, needs careful consideration. It is imperative that any Government intervention in this market does not distort competition. These matters, along with relevant State aid rules, are currently being considered by my Department.
