Vol. 470 No. 7
263 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he intends to support a recent submission from Ryanair to increase the number of passengers on the Paris route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20023/96]
Ryanair is seeking adjustments to the airport charges regime at Dublin Airport in connection with the airlines proposals for the introduction of services to Europe.
My Department has asked Aer Rianta to examine Ryanair's request. I understand that this examination will be completed very shortly and my officials will then report to me on the matter.
I should point out that in examining this request Aer Rianta has to take account of the position of all airlines, not just Ryanair. The Deputy will also be aware that under European Union Single Market rules in the air transport sector, all licensed EU air carriers are free to provide services on any international route within the Community without Government control. However, the question as to whether an airline wishes to inaugurate services on a particular route is, of course, entirely a matter for the airline to decide on the basis of its own commercial judgment.
