Robert Molloy
Ceist:200 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the steps, if any, being taken to improve tourist traffic access to Ireland from the southern and west coast states of the USA. [17445/95]
Written Answers. - Tourist Traffic Access.
The provision of transatlantic air services between Ireland and the US is governed by the Ireland-US Air Transport Agreement. In accordance with the terms of that agreement, designated airlines of both countries are free to operate air services on specified routes between the two countries. There are no limitations on capacity offered by airlines on such services and airlines are free to determine air fares in accordance with their own commercial judgment.
In relation to scheduled air services, Irish airlines currently enjoy access rights to four US points — New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles — while US airlines may serve Ireland from any US point. In relation to charter services, both Irish and US airlines can operate from any point in the US to Ireland. Both scheduled and charter services must operate in conformity with current policy in relation to Shannon which is that airlines must maintain the same level of direct flights to Shannon as to Dublin. However, in relation to charter services to Cork or Connaught Regional Airport, there is no requirement to serve Shannon.
Currently, Ireland has services from New York and Boston in the north east provided by Aer Lingus and from Atlanta in the south by Delta. I should, of course, also mention that Aeroflot has been granted traffic rights between Shannon and Chicago, Washington, Miami and Tampa. Aer Lingus recently anounced its plans to develop its transatlantic scheduled services in 1996. These plans include the provision of new year round direct services between Chicago and Ireland and significant increases in capacity between Boston and Ireland and New York and Ireland.
It is a matter, in the first instance, for airlines to decide whether to operate services between the US and Ireland based on their own commercial judgment but, of course, every opportunity is taken to encourage US airlines to commence new services to Ireland. In this regard, my Department from time to time approaches US airlines regarding opportunities for new Ireland-US services as do other State agencies. Indeed, only last month I met with US based aviation interests who are seriously examining the possibility of starting up new transatlantic services to Shannon and I gave them every encouragement in this regard.