Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputies' message is clear and straightforward. I will convey it to the relevant Ministers. So far this year, to the end of last month almost 325,000 passengers used the airport. This is an 80% reduction on the same period in 2019, when approximately 1.7 million passengers used the airport. While passenger numbers remain suppressed, it is welcome to see that passenger numbers for last month were significantly up on the same period in 2020. There have been no transatlantic flights from Shannon since the onset of Covid, but the commitment by Aer Lingus and United Airlines to resume transatlantic flights from March next year is to be welcomed. I can also inform the House that Aer Lingus will increase flights on the London Heathrow to Shannon route to twice daily from 18 February and three times daily from 27 March. Ryanair is planning to operate 20 routes, including the first Shannon to Malta service.

The Omicron variant has the potential to significantly impact on the sector, however. While the implications remain unclear, I can assure the House that the Government will continue to monitor the financial impact of Covid-19 on the Irish aviation sector on an ongoing basis, in consultation with all key stakeholders and relevant Departments.

It is important to note that before Covid-19, the Shannon Group was successfully delivering its commercial mandate, resulting in the group being an economic driver in the mid-west region. It was on a growth trajectory since its formation in 2014 and the Government wants this growth to return for the benefit of the region and the national economy. With the substantial supports provided by the Government to date, I am confident that Shannon Airport and all of our airports will be well positioned for the recovery that we hope to see continue in the sector next year.

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