asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will make a statement on the recent decision of Pan-Am to discontinue flights to Ireland and its possible effect on tourism.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pan-Am US-Ireland Flights.
130.
In accordance with the terms of the Air Transport Agreement between Ireland and the United States, it is a matter for the governmental authorities on each side to designate the carriers to exercise the traffic rights accorded under the agreement. Accordingly, the question of Pan-Am ceasing to exercise traffic rights between the US and Ireland would be a matter for consideration by the appropriate US agency.
I have not received any formal notification of the Pan-Am proposal to withdraw services to Ireland and I would of course be very sorry to see a cessation or interruption of that company's long association with the operation of scheduled services through Shannon. The implications of a cessation of Pan-Am services are being studied by my Department and the various agencies concerned and I would not consider it appropriate at this stage to make a detailed statement in the matter. It is my belief, however, that a cessation of PAA services need not result in any loss of traffic to Shannon or of tourism to Ireland.