Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the future of Cork Airport. [19157/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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529. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding his meetings with Cork Airport management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19158/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 529 together. ​

As the Deputy is aware, national policy in relation to the future of Cork Airport was decided by Government in May, 2012 in the context of the decision to separate Shannon Airport from daa.  The Government decided at that time that the existing ownership of Cork Airport by DAA would be maintained for the present. 

The draft National Aviation Plan (NAP), which is now at an advanced stage and will be published shortly, restates Government Policy in relation to Cork.  It also recognises Cork Airport's role as a key tourism and business gateway for the region, its strategic importance serving Ireland's second city and its hinterland, and identifies the potential for the airport to stabilise and grow traffic.  

Cork Airport is the second largest airport in Ireland and vital for business and tourism in the Cork region. Last year some 2.1 million passengers used the Airport.  Cork Airport has 42 scheduled routes and offers excellent award winning passenger facilities and connectivity into three major European hub airports.  

Of course we are all concerned at the fall in passenger numbers at Cork Airport.  However, following my visit to the Airport and meetings with DAA and Cork Airport management, I believe there are opportunities to increase passenger numbers particularly in the area of incoming tourists. Accordingly, I have engaged with Tourism Ireland on the matter and significant co-operative marketing activity has been undertaken with carriers serving Cork Airport to promote flights to Cork and boost travel to the wider regions.   

However, these marketing activities have to be underpinned by a cohesive product brand for the Cork region, providing a clear selling point for Cork as a destination in itself and as a gateway to other attractive destinations in Ireland.  I am pleased that a Task Force comprising the two local authorities, the Chamber and the Tourism agencies along with DAA and the Irish Tourism Operators Association, is now working on delivering just such a destination brand for Cork, as well as a strategy and implementation plan for maximising inbound tourism growth opportunities.  

I urge everybody with an interest in securing the future of Cork Airport to work together to develop and exploit these opportunities.