Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent if any to which he has studied the costs for airlines using various airports with particular reference to handling, landing or other charges; if any studies have been done to identify the airports throughout Europe currently having the lowest charges; the extent to which this has affected the number of airlines using such airports; the extent if any to which the various airports throughout this country can be encouraged to compete with the most cost effective and efficient in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35140/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent if any to which the costs at various Irish airports are competitive with those applicable throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35447/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 232 together.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) regulates airport charges levied at Dublin Airport. Airport charges at Cork and Shannon Airports are set by the relevant airport authority while charges at the six regional airports, which are owned and operated independently, are a matter for each airport concerned. In relation to comparative charges at other airports in Europe, I understand that a number of benchmarking studies have been conducted or referenced by the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) concerning operating costs at Dublin Airport. The most recent report, conducted by Indecon-Jacobs during the 2009 regulatory determination process, which is available on the CAR website at www.aviation.reg.ie, demonstrated that the operating costs per passenger at Dublin Airport were the second lowest of the sample of comparator airports in Europe in 2008.

Other reports have consistently demonstrated that charges at Dublin Airport are amongst the lowest of comparable airports in Europe. For example, in 2008, Airports Council International, the representative body for Airports worldwide, identified Dublin as having the lowest airport charges among the top 20 airports in Europe and preliminary results for the 2009 survey show a similar position. In addition, the annual Airport Charges Monitor, published by RDC Aviation (an air transport consultancy), which measures the top 50 airports in Europe, consistently shows that Dublin Airport is well below average with respect to airport charges. In the 2009 survey, Dublin ranked 39th in terms of the level of airport charges for common short-haul aircraft operations.

I understand from the DAA that charges at Cork and Shannon also compare favourably with European benchmarks. In addition, the three State airports also offer a range of attractive incentive schemes to airlines which provide up to 100% discounts on airport charges for a defined period on qualifying routes. With regard to competition between airports, it is the responsibility of the State Airport Authorities and the regional airports to market their aviation services. I have no function in that matter.