Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Transport if the public service obligation contracts awarded to airlines to operate services to and from regional airports contain performance targets to be achieved by the airlines awarded such contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36004/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Earlier this year, I announced the award of public service obligation, PSO, contracts for the operation of air services on six regional air routes. Following an EU procurement process, Aer Arann was awarded the contracts to provide services on routes linking Dublin with Kerry, Galway, Sligo and Donegal, while Loganair was awarded the contract for the Dublin to Derry and Dublin to Knock routes.

The PSO contracts contain the following key performance standards. The number of flights cancelled for reasons directly attributable to the air carrier must not exceed 2% of the minimum number of flights specified in respect of each route. The number of flights delayed by more than 30 minutes for reasons directly attributable to the carrier must not exceed 20% of the minimum number of flights specified in respect of each route. A minimum of 80% of the daily passenger seat capacity must be made available by the carrier at a fare not exceeding 75 each way. In addition to the above standards, carriers are also required to report on passenger numbers and load factors on each route, on a monthly basis.