Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2019
612. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of domestic flights in each of the years 2015 to 2018, by airport, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53132/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra613. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the longest, shortest and average distance and flight time of a domestic flight in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53133/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 612 and 613 together.
All scheduled domestic flights currently operating in Ireland are supported by Public Service Obligation (PSO) schemes.
My Department administers a PSO Air Services Scheme under the Regional Airports Programme, which provides financial support to airlines to operate services on two domestic routes, namely Kerry/Dublin and Donegal/Dublin. The contract to operate these services, which is currently held by Stobart Air, provides for two daily return flights on both routes. This same level of service was in place during the years 2015 to 2018.
The distances between the airports of Kerry and Dublin and Donegal and Dublin are 260km and 224km respectively. Flight times between Kerry/Dublin and Donegal/Dublin are both in the region of one hour.
As the Deputy may be aware, a PSO air service also operates between Connemara Airport and each of the three Aran Islands. As this service is administered by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, any issues associated with that service is a matter for Minister Josepha Madigan.
