Vol. 503 No. 1
30 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to sanction the increases in charges sought by Aer Rianta in respect of its aeronautical charging policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9130/99]
51 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her Department has completed consideration of the dispute between air carriers and Aer Rianta in relation to the landing charge fee structure for the future and the abolition of the discount schemes previously operated; the proposals, if any, she has to intervene in the matter; if she has received a copy of the proposals submitted by Ryanair in which it has sought improved facilities and a lower cost base in return for which it is committed to further passenger growth through Dublin [8644/99]
53 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the value of the reductions and rebates of ground airport charges by Aer Rianta for the services provided to Ryanair at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports from 1989 to date; the value of the special reductions which apply to Ryanair at pier A in Dublin Airport; the reason this special provision is being continued at pier A; if she will make it conditional that reductions and rebates given by Aer Rianta apply only if airlines meet certain basic safety conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9138/99]
I propose to take Question Nos. 30, 51 and 53 together.
In January last Aer Rianta submitted for my consideration a study commissioned by them on the existing structure of airport charges levied by the company. The basic finding of the report was that Aer Rianta's charges were too low for acceptable long-term performance. Ryanair commissioned a report from DKM on airport charges at Dublin airport which was presented to me in February last.
Aer Rianta engaged Price Waterhouse Coopers to assist them in developing a revised charging structure for the State airports. Their proposals are expected to be submitted to me for my consideration in mid-April.
Before reaching a decision on the future level of airport charges, I will take Aer Rianta's funding requirements for their capital development and the possible impact of the loss of duty free sales, and all other relevant factors, into account, including the impact any change in the level of charges would have on airlines and, consequently, on air travellers generally.
In this context, I have recently had a meeting with Mr. Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair at which we discussed his proposals in relation to airport charges. I do not think it is appropriate, at this juncture, to single out one set of proposals for comment. Ryanair's proposals should be considered in conjunction with those of Aer Rianta, and with those of any other airlines or interested parties that might wish to make submissions on this important question, and that is what I intend to do.
In response to the Deputies' more specific queries, I append a table to this reply, as submitted to me by Aer Rianta, indicating the value of rebates and discounts for Ryanair for the years 1989 to 1998. The figure provided by the company in respect of 1998 is provisional and may be subject to future adjustment.
|
89 |
90 |
91 |
92 |
93 |
94 |
95 |
96 |
97 |
98 |
|
0.5 |
0.86 |
1.2 |
1.99 |
1.92 |
2.08 |
4.40 |
7.15 |
9.34 |
9.52 |
