asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether Aer Lingus have any proposals to introduce special weekend execursion fares between Britain and Ireland to facilitate the large numbers of Irish people who wish to travel home for occasional weekends; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Britain-Ireland Travel.
40.
Mr. O'Donnell
As I mentioned in reply to the Deputy's question of 3rd November last, Aer Lingus are aware of some demand for cheap weekend excursion fares on the cross-channel routes to cater for ethnic traffic but it has not been found possible to introduce such fares mainly because the weekend is the period of peak travel with very few empty seats. The company is currently examining alternatives to the weekend concept as a means of catering for the ethnic market in Britain.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is the Minister aware that BEA have recently introduced exactly what I am suggesting here between British airports and Belfast? If BEA can do it why can Aer Lingus not do it?
They are working on this——
Mr. O'Donnell
Why can it not operate between British airports and Irish airports?
——to do it in a period other than the weekend because the weekend period is capacity carrying period and there would not be any financial advantage in doing it.
Mr. O'Donnell
There must be a potential there?
There is a potential there. They are working on this.