Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 5

Written Answers. - Connaught Airport Operations.

Donal Carey

Ceist:

74 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has issued a licence to the Horan International Airport authorities permitting wide bodied aircraft with a full load to land and take off from there; and if he will indicate whether international aviation regulations are being complied with when transatlantic charter aircraft call to the airport.

Minister for Tourism and Transport (Mr. S. Brennan)

Connaught Airport is licensed for public use under the Air Navigation (Aerodromes and Visual Ground Aids) Order, 1970 (S.I. No. 291 of 1970). Under the Order, applicants for aerodrome licences are required to provide operational information on the aerodrome facilities including landing and take-off distances. While specifying and approving operating regulations, I do not regulate by means of the aerodrome licence the type of aircraft which may land or take-off at the aerodrome or the load which an aircraft may carry.

Permissible take-off and landing weights vary with temperature, wind conditions, and the landing, take-off and emergency distances available. It is the responsibility of the aircraft operator to establish maximum allowable operating weights in accordance with the limitations in the approved flight manual and in compliance with the operating regulations. I have no reason to doubt that operations are being conducted at Connaught Airport in accordance with the approved operating regulations.