Vol. 459 No. 8
156 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has to increase inbound traffic to Shannon Airport with a view to ensuring a reasonable share of increased tourist traffic for that region. [19086/95]
I announced on 24 October last that the Aer Rianta discount scheme would include, from 1996, a special scheme for Shannon and Cork Airports.
There will be no aircraft landing charges or passenger load fees for new traffic or new services for a period of two years. This new strategy is aimed at attracting new services on routes into Shannon and Cork and will position the airports for significant new business.
In addition, the Government decided recently that full responsibility for promoting and marketing Shannon Airport should be assigned to Aer Rianta. The company is already managing the airport as well as those in Cork and Dublin. It will now be able to devise integrated strategies for marketing all three airports.
A sum of £1.8 million is being allocated to Aer Rianta in 1996 specifically for the marketing of Shannon Airport. In addition, I have set up a consultative committee, comprised of local interests, to offer advice to Aer Rianta on all marketing strategies for the development of traffic at Shannon Airport and to monitor and review progress under such strategies.
I am satisfied that, as a result of the measures outlined above, Shannon Airport will be able to attract increased tourist traffic to the region.
