Vol. 177 No. 2
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he has seen reports that a number of air lines have decided to discontinue, or substantially reduce, their use of Shannon Airport during the next six months; and if he will state the effect of this decision on employment and other activities at Shannon.
11.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether five air companies have decided to overfly Shannon Airport; and, if so, whether he will state the total amount paid by these companies for landing fees for the year to the last convenient date, the number of passengers landed, the number who embarked and the number who disembarked, and in each case the percentage of the total relevant activity at the airport; and if he will state the total takings and net profit for the same period for the Shannon duty free shop.
12.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has seen recent reports to the effect that a number of air companies are suspending their flights through Shannon Airport for a period of six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle I propose to take questions Nos. 10, 11, and 12 together.
The questions presumably refer to five European Air Lines about whose winter schedules there have been recent Press reports.
Two of these companies scheduled no flights to land at Shannon in the winter of 1958/59. The same situation will obtain in respect of these two companies in the winter of 1959/60. Two of the companies who had flights scheduled to land during the winter months 1958/59 have indicated that they will have no scheduled landings during the winter 1959/60. The fifth company, which scheduled flights to land during 1958/59, has indicated that scheduled landings will also be made during the winter of 1959/60. None of these companies operates jet aircraft on the transatlantic routes.
The overall position regarding the winter schedules of all companies operating through Shannon Airport indicates a weekly total of 36 Westbound Passenger and Cargo Flights and 29 Eastbound Passenger and Cargo Flights for 1959-60. Comparative figures for 1958-59 were 30 and 26 flights a week respectively. Deputies will note that, in fact, more flights are scheduled for this winter than for last winter. In the same period, these companies landed (transit and disembarked) 71,850 passengers, embarked 6,340 and disembarked 4,199, representing respectively 18.8 per cent. 14.5 per cent. and 12.2 per cent. of total relevant activity at the airport.
The total amount paid in landing fees by the five companies concerned during the year ended 31st July, 1959, was £76,639, which represents 17.5 per cent. of the total fees in the period.
During the same period total takings and net profit for the Sales and Catering Service as a whole were £1,215,653 and £113,606 respectively. These figures are subject to audit. It is not possible to give separate figures for the Duty Free shop.
It is not expected that the introduction of the Winter schedules of the five air lines referred to will have any effect on employment and other activities at Shannon Airport apart from very limited organisational changes within the company staffs employed at the Airport.
While the schedules for the coming winter reveal no adverse effect for the Airport compared with last year, there is no doubt that overflying of the Airport is a real problem and in the current financial year is expected to result in a decrease of about 25% in landing fee receipts. It is in the face of this situation that the Government have established the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited and have charged the Company with responsibility for the taking of all practical steps to preserve the level of activity and employment at the Airport.
Plans for attracting more U.S.A. tourist traffic through the combined co-ordinated effort of Bord Fáilte, Aer Linte, and C.I.E. are also being prepared.
In order to encourage an increase in the number of passengers disembarking at Shannon Airport, is the Minister prepared to consider a link between Shannon and London? Such a link might possibly prove an advantageous development.
That is constantly in the mind of the Shannon Airport Development Company and Aer Linte, but there are many problems which have to be considered in that regard and it would be quite impossible for me to say now when a decision can be arrived at.
Can the Minister say whether it is intended to arrive at a decision?
The question is whether or not the service would be really profitable, and many matters relative to that have to be examined.
Is the Minister aware that up to some years ago there was a service, but it was terminated?
I understand that.
This would be a reintroduction of the service.
