Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:8 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will outline her plans for future development of Cork airport.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Airport.
Within the past four years substantial improvements have been carried out at Cork airport involving expenditure of £16 million. There has been direct investment by the Department in the provision of radar and air navigational equipment at the airport at a cost of £6 million. A further £10 million has been spent by Aer Rianta on extending the terminal building and the main runway.
Future plans for the continued development of the airport include an investment this year of £1 million in improving the catering facilities — work to commence immediately — and upgrading car parking facilities. A further £6 million is projected in 1993 to cover improvements to the terminal buildings, an overlay of the runway and an expansion of cargo facilities at the airport.
Aer Rianta expect traffic at the airport to grow by 3 per cent this year from a base of 650,000 in 1991. By 1996 Aer Rianta foresee a growth in traffic of 12 per cent over the 1992 performance. Further development of UK provincial routes is forecast by Aer Rianta. Increased air service capacity on the Cork-Bristol-Plymouth routes this year is anticipated while the Cork-Birmingham service will continue. Aer Rianta are hoping there will be direct services to Manchester in 1993.
Continued growth in inbound continental tourist charters is expected this year to add to the 20,000 new passengers in this sector generated in 1991.
I thank the Minister for her response. I should not like the airport attached to the second city in Ireland to be overlooked in the controversy over another airport. I am glad the Minister has good news for me. In view of the fact that Cork is the centre of the south-west, our premier tourist area, does the Minister agree it is important that continued emphasis should be placed on the development of the airport? If we are to exploit the tourist potential of the area, we should be thinking about direct flights from the Continent into Cork, particularly during the tourist season.
I agree it is important that the development of Cork airport should be continued apace. It will be evident to everyone from the figures I gave that Cork airport has been getting a fairly large slice of the development funding. I also agree it is important that there should be continued growth in inbound charter services from continental Europe. I believe that is the direction in which most airports are moving. This is a very welcome development.