Written answers

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Air Services Provision

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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604. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the abolition of the air travel tax will allow Ireland to become a major transatlantic hub, in view of its competitive position against other airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44537/13]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The suspension of the €3 air travel tax from April next year, together with the retention of the 9% VAT rate, is primarily aimed at boosting the Irish tourism industry and local economies.  

In relation to transatlantic services, capacity on these routes did increase by over 20% this summer season and a number of new services to the US West coast and Canada have already been announced for next year. These additional routes, together with preclearance facilities and the abolition of the air travel tax should serve to increase the attractiveness of Shannon and Dublin airports as transit hubs for passengers travelling to and from North America.

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