Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the 2023 tourist season is likely to be in a position to avail of improved air transport services in terms of the number of flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10681/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The aviation sector's recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continues its upwards trajectory with estimates showing a potential return to 2019 levels of traffic overall by 2024, and Ireland widely predicted to return to such levels during 2023.

Eurocontrol's most recent statistics report Ireland's traffic in late February as being approximately 95% of what it was during the equivalent period in 2019. This is an incredible starting position for our airlines heading into the summer. Both major Irish airlines have announced very extensive offerings within their respective route networks covering both Europe and North America, reported as their largest to date.

There has been a multitude of announcements of new routes and holiday offerings which is a very positive sign of what should be a very busy summer period. By way of example, over 20 new routes operating from Dublin, Cork, Shannon, and Ireland West (Knock) airports have been announced for the summer season which augurs well for the tourist season.