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

The latest EUROCONTROL figures show that aviation traffic across the pan-European network is averaging at just over 70% of the equivalent period in 2019. Ireland's traffic levels are reported as slightly higher than this average. Air traffic remains lower than EUROCONTROL's previously estimated recovery forecast, largely due to the emergence of the Omicron variant last year. This would serve to highlight the fragility of the recovery. We remain mindful of the possibility that a variant of concern might again frustrate the restoration of aviation.

Also of concern is the impact of rising fuel costs on air travel. The ongoing crisis in Ukraine clearly has impacts on parts of the aviation industry but, for geographical reasons, the impact on Ireland for now has been limited. The outlook is uncertain with regard to that conflict and there are potential risks for the recovery of aviation in that regard.

With talk of recovery of aviation traffic, the environmental impact of aviation must also be acknowledged. There are several aviation proposals in the Fit for 55 package that aim to ensure aviation becomes more sustainable as it recovers. While there is undoubtedly a need to decarbonise the sector, officials from the Department of Transport continue to engage with the European Commission on the best way forward.

The removal of all remaining travel restrictions has provided much-needed assurance to the industry to enable it to plan with more certainty and provide consumers with more confidence to make future travel plans. The Government has facilitated the jump-starting of the restoration of commercial air services and airports are providing incentives where applicable. Airports and airlines now need time to maximise their recovery.