Written answers
Tuesday, 22 February 2005
Department of Transport
Air Services
8:00 pm
Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Transport if there are any legal impediments either under EU law or Irish law to transatlantic flights going directly from Cork Airport to the USA; if, in the context of the bilateral agreements, there was never a legal basis for not allowing the operation of transatlantic flights from and to Cork Airport; if, with the restructuring of Aer Rianta, the Cork Airport Authority is now free actively to pursue cross-Atlantic business; if there are any obstacles remaining, they will be removed; his views on whether transatlantic business would be of huge benefit to the commercial and tourist economy of the greater south Munster area; if he will make a statement on the Government's position in relation to Cork and USA flights; and if he will actively encourage such a proposal. [5855/05]
Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Ireland-US bilateral aviation agreement, there is no impediment to Irish airlines operating scheduled or charter transatlantic services to and from Cork. However, US carriers may only operate charter services to and from Cork.
Traditionally the focus of Irish transatlantic services had been on Shannon and Dublin. Recently, however, my Department took account of a number of Irish policy developments such as the Government's decision to separate the State airports to increase their regional focus, as well as the opportunities for extra tourism, and concluded, with my agreement, that no objection should be raised if any airline wishes to operate services between Cork and the USA. As I mentioned above, only Irish carriers may operate scheduled services to and from Cork.
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