asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) concerning an attempt by Aer Lingus to prevent a Pan Am charter flight from bringing tourists to Ireland despite the fact that Aer Lingus could not accommodate the passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pan Am Charter Flight.
27.
The affinity charter regime has provided certain categories of persons with an opportunity to travel at rates significantly below the applicable scheduled service rates. The flights are operated in pursuance of rules which are applied internationally and which stipulate that all the flight participants must belong for at least 6 months to a bona fide association or body having principal aims other than the provision of transport. These rules are designed to prevent diversion from the scheduled services which must meet the needs of travel, trade and commerce on a year-round basis and not only during peak periods when there is likely to be a substantial demand.
I am informed that following a drive to clean up the illegal affinity charter market by the US Civil Aeronautics Board in 1973, the three scheduled carriers then servicing the Irish transatlantic market reached agreement that, as part of their efforts to eliminate abuses on charter flights, their respective charter divisions would liaise with each other if they received reports of illegalities aboard one anothers flights. Following complaints to Aerlínte by a number of travel agencies, the company contacted Pan Am in early May 1974 about the bona fides of the flight in question. As the complaints continued to persist, the matter was brought to the attention of the CAB. Pan Am subsequently cancelled the flight but following court proceedings, the flight actually took place on 28th June. It is not clear whether the court proceedings related to the bona fides of the flight as distinct from the charter body and I understand that the CAB Enforcement Bureau may be pursuing the matter further with the carrier involved.
I should, perhaps, explain for the information of the House and to put the present case into proper perspective that the North Atlantic affinity charter regime to all European countries had become so unworkable and subject to such widespread abuse that a new regime has been introduced by the US, Canada and European countries including Ireland, to replace it. We are thus in an era of transition where certain European states have already discontinued operating affinities because of their proneness to abuse and the US are understood to be discontinuing the facility as from the end of this year.
Is the Minister aware that a head-on clash may shortly occur between Bord Fáilte and Aer Lingus over these persistent attempts by Aer Lingus to undermine charter flights to this country on the most minor technicalities and that, in fact, they are effectively keeping away thousands of tourists from this country who would otherwise be benefiting the economy? Would the Minister examine this and speak to people in Bord Fáilte who, I believe, will support this point of view?
I do not agree that there is an imminent clash between Bord Fáilte and Aer Lingus. I think Bord Fáilte understand the point of view of Aer Lingus in this. The position is that Aer Lingus depend for the bulk of their passengers on travel agents who accept bookings from individuals and put them on to flights or, in some cases, influence the destination at which certain people will spend their holidays. If Aer Lingus lose the goodwill of these travel agents, then the overall tourism situation in this country over a season will deteriorate and if travel agents, on whom Aer Lingus are dependent for the bulk of their passengers, complain to Aer Lingus and ask Aer Lingus to make complaints about an affinity charter which, from the travel agents point of view, is taking trade from them, then in their own interests and in the interests of tourism generally in this country Aer Lingus must act.
Would the Minister not agree that it seems to be a ridiculous situation when Aer Lingus themselves cannot even accommodate the passengers that they should still find cause to complain? If they were flying empty aircraft across the Atlantic I would see some reason for this but this is not the case.
I am afraid the Deputy is missing the point of what I am saying. The point is that Aer Lingus on their own initiative would not but they are being pressured into complaining by travel agents who object to these affinity flights taking customers from them and in that regard Aer Lingus have no choice but to act on the suggestions and sometimes, perhaps, even stronger than that, of what are their customers if they want to retain the goodwill of these travel agents.
Are these travel agents here in Ireland?
No, they are in America.