Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken to ensure that connecting routes held by Irish aviation companies are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9889/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The operation of any air routes is a commercial matter for the air operator concerned. In addition to the suite of general business supports, the Government has approved an allocation of €80 million in 2021 in support of Irish aviation and connectivity during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Airlines retain access rights to routes in line with airport slot management regulations. Within the European Union, airport slots are regulated in accordance with Regulation (EEC) 95/93.

Due to the significant disruption to international air travel caused by COVID-19, a number of amendments to this regulation have entered into force. These legislative amendments waived the legal obligation for air operators to use their allocated slots in 2020.

The EU Commission, Parliament and Council have recently agreed a new amending regulation that will provide some alleviation from the slots usage rules for the forthcoming summer season.