asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if applications have been received for permission to fly into Shannon from American carriers, if permission has been granted in any case and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Shannon Airport Developments.
427.
The only application received by me from an American carrier for permission to operate scheduled services into Shannon was from Transamerica Airlines Inc. This company was formally designated by the US authorities under the US-Ireland bilateral air transport agreement to provide a scheduled service on the route New York-Shannon and has received the necessary authorisation from my Department to operate such a service.
428.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the increase, if any, in traffic through Shannon for 1979 to date and the prospects for increasing traffic in 1980.
On the basis of information to date, Aer Rianta estimate that total passenger traffic at Shannon Airport during 1979 will show an increase of between 2.5 and 3 per cent over 1978. Total passenger traffic for the ten months January to October 1979, shows an increase of 2.5 per cent as against the corresponding period in 1978 as follows:
|
Jan.-Oct. 1978 |
Jan.-Oct. 1979 |
Percentage ± |
|
|
Terminal |
547,496 |
573,430 |
+4.7% |
|
Transit |
496,475 |
496,221 |
-0.05% |
|
Total |
1,043,971 |
1,069,651 |
+2.5% |
It is estimated that terminal passenger traffic at Shannon during 1980 will increase by approximately 5 per cent over 1979 as a result of normal growth, while the increase in transit traffic should be of the order of 10 per cent. Aer Rianta have agreed with Aeroflot, the Soviet national airline, to provide separate fuelling facilities at Shannon and this mainly accounts for the expected increase in transit traffic. Operations by Aeroflot through Shannon are due to resume in mid-1980. Terminal freight traffic (excluding mail) showed an increase of 6.2 per cent for the ten months January to October 1979 as compared with the corresponding period of 1978 and the increase for the 12 months of 1979 as compared with 1978 should be about 6 per cent. It is estimated that terminal freight traffic in 1980 will increase by about 5 per cent over 1979.
429.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the improvements and developments that have taken place at Shannon Airport during the past two years and if he will give details of the total cost in each case.
Moneys exceeding £3 million have been made available over the past two years for improvements and developments at Shannon Airport. The principal items covered are:
Alterations to the kitchen area; extension to Mail Order Building; improved and extended garage accommodation; additional accommodation for Departmental staff; alterations to office accommodation; fencing and floodlighting; improvements to water supply; overlay on centre taxiway; new fire tender; extension of the heating system in the Shannon repair service hangar; extension to car parking facilities; storage tanks for Soviet-origin fuel; rationalisation of kitchen area.
Most of the works listed above are still in progress and are expected to be completed next year. It is not the practice to give details of the contract price of each item.
430.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the long-term plans for further developments at Shannon International Airport.
I am informed by Aer Rianta that their long-term plans for Shannon Airport envisage the extension of the terminal building, pier building and apron parking areas, the extension of the freight terminal and the construction of new offices and maintenance blocks. There are also plans for the resurfacing of the main runway with provision of centre-line lighting and improved approach lighting.
The question of implementing these proposals will depend on future traffic developments and operational needs at the airport.
431.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the proposals, if any, for the repair or extension of a second jet runway at Shannon Airport.
There are two runways at Shannon Airport the main one, runway 06/24, being 3,200 metres long and 45 metres wide. The subsidiary runway at the airport, runway 14/32, is 1,720 metres long and 45 metres wide.
Runway 06/24 is used for all aircraft involved in translantic flights and most other medium-shorthaul routes, while runway 14/32 is used mainly by lighter type aircraft including DC 3s, Fokker Friendship and HS 748, as well as certain executive jets. There are no proposals at present to upgrade runway 14/32.