Written Answers - Transatlantic Air Access.
Michael McDowell
Ceist:
36
Mr. M. McDowell
asked the
Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications
the progress, if any, made to date on efforts being made to improve direct air access from the North American south and east coast States to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2037/96]
Desmond J. O'Malley
Ceist:
54
Mr. O'Malley
asked the
Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications
the progress, if any, made to date on efforts being made to improve direct air access from the North American south and east coast States to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2036/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 54 together.
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. This year Aer Lingus will introduce a new year round direct service between Chicago and Ireland and will significantly increase capacity on the Boston and New York services. They are also expanding the New York-Belfast links, developed in 1995.
Overall Aer Lingus increased capacity on its transatlantic services by 10 per cent in 1995 and will further increase capacity by 13 per cent in 1996.
I should of course also mention that Aeroflot has been granted traffic rights between Shannon and Chicago, Washington, Miami and Tampa and operates weekly services on all these routes.
It is a matter in the first instance for Irish and US airlines to decide whether to operate services between US and Ireland based on their own commercial judgment but of course every opportunity is taken to encourage airlines to extend existing services and 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. Both myself and my officials have had meetings in recent months with US based aviation interests who are seriously examining the possibility of starting up new transatlantic services to Ireland and they have been given every encouragement in this regard.
I am aware that there is concern in some quarters about insufficient capacity on Ireland-US services to meet growing demand. In particular concern is expressed about the lack of direct scheduled services from the regions not currently served on a direct basis. It is believed that such services would increase the number of US visitors from those regions and would also reduce the number of US visitors currently arriving in Ireland via indirect routes such as over London.
In order to have an up-to-date assessment of all the relevant factors, myself and my colleague, Deputy Enda Kenny, Minister for Tourism and Trade, last December set up a steering group comprised of senior officials from both Departments, Aer Rianta and Bord Fáilte to research in detail the possibilities for improving and increasing access from the US to Ireland. This group is looking at all relevant issues including an analysis of the current market, the origin of existing tourists, the best prospective US regions to target for increasing the number of tourists, the possibilities of improving access and increasing services from these markets. The group will also consider marketing tools to improve the effectiveness of existing capacity such as code-sharing, improved interlining arrangements, and also appropriateness of existing advertising and marketing strategy.
Work by this group is well in hands and I expect to have a report within the next ten days. I will then decide on the appropriate follow up steps to take, in consultation with my colleague the Minister for Tourism and Trade. This is likely to include approaches to selected US airlines in the coming months.
