asked the Minister for Communications if he will make a statement on the issue of authorisation for express cargo services through Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports; if he has applications for such authorisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Express Cargo Services Authorisation.
16.
Express low weight cargo services are a relatively new concept. These services involve the carriage by air of small packages and time sensitive documents on aircraft which are usually engaged by freight consolidators or courier firms.
Evidence to date suggests that the main interest in the service centres on the UK-Ireland market and in this regard a forthcoming meeting between officials of my Department and the UK Department of Transport will endeavour to agree a mutually acceptable framework for the operation of express low weight services between the two countries.
At present three carriers are operating these services to and from this country on the routes Dublin-East Midlands (Avair), Dublin-Luton (Nightflight) and Shannon-East Midlands (Airbridge Carriers). A fourth carrier (Shannon Executive Aviation) will shortly take up rights which I recently awarded to it for the Dublin-Luton route. The latter carrier is currently seeking an extension of these rights to cover operations to and from Shannon and I am examining that application.
There are no other applications for express low weight services on hands at the present time.