Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the flights by a company (details supplied) from Carrickfinn to Dublin; the number of flights which have been cancelled for each month in 2022; the number of flights which have been delayed; the time delays for each delayed flight in tabular form for each month in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56511/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Following an extensive procurement process in 2021, a Government funded Public Services Obligation (PSO) air services contract between Donegal and Dublin, was awarded by my Department.

This contract, which provides twice daily two-way air services, facilitating same day return trips from Donegal, and further international connectivity from Dublin airport, marks Government’s commitment to ensuring continued connectivity to this region for the next 3 years. In line with Government’s commitment to balanced regional development, this service will support growth of the economy and tourism in the region.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that, following the commencement of this contract on 26th February and the lifting of travel restrictions in March this year, passenger numbers immediately rebounded, exceeding 2019 pre-COVID passenger levels on this route.

While the Deputy has sought the time delays for each delayed flight, there is no contractual obligation on the airline to provide this information to my Department. The contract in place for the provision of these services requires that the airline provide a monthly report to my Department, taking account of any cancelled and delayed flights (greater than 30 minutes from departure). As requested by the Deputy, these are set out below for each month of the contract up until 31^stOctober.

While it is evident from the above that there have been a number of delayed flights on this route, as well as marginal disruptions by way of cancelled flights, I can assure the Deputy that the performance of the airline operating this service is within the performance requirements as set out under contract; namely no more than 1% and 10% cancelled and delayed flights respectively, were such cancellations and delays are directly attributable to the airline.

Generally, incidents of flight cancellations and delays due to air traffic control hold-ups and resourcing issues with 3rd party handling agents would be considered non-attributable to airlines. So too are delays due to poor weather conditions. With Winter in particular bringing additional safety restrictions to operations, due to ice and wind, safe operations always remain the overarching consideration. Cancellations and delayed flights considered attributable to airlines would be those relating to aircraft technical matters and crewing issues.

With the importance of the passenger experience in mind, I would also like to advise the Deputy that the performance requirements in place under this current contract are more stringent that those under previous PSO contracts on this route. Previous contracts allowed for 2% and 20% cancellations and delays respectfully, directly attributable to the airline.

I am also pleased to advise the Deputy that the airline have informed my Department that they have taken a proactive approach to mitigate against any possible future delays, which are currently outside of their control.The airline has recently applied for a Handling Licence from the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) and hope to be in a position to provide their own ground handling services as early as next month. The airline anticipates that having their own dedicated in-house handling will see improvements in this route’s performance in terms of delayed departures.