Parliamentry Question addressed to Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Reply

I have received a number of submissions/comments concerning the proposals set out in Section 3.1 of the draft National Aviation Policy for Ireland which was published on 21 May 2014. 

 

The draft National Aviation Policy was developed following a public consultation process in 2013.   The consultation process covered all elements of aviation policy and the draft National Aviation Policy takes account of the submissions received. On the issue of fifth freedom traffic rights for airlines, the majority of submissions received favoured the adoption of a fully liberalised approach. 

 

The policy proposal in Section 3.1 is that a liberal approach should be taken by my Department to any requests from non EU and non US airlines to serve routes to/from Ireland where there is a clear benefit for Ireland and the travelling public.

I have invited submissions on the draft National Aviation policy published on 21 May.  Airlines and any other interested parties have an opportunity through the consultation process to express their views on this proposal and all other proposals in the draft before the closing date for submissions on 31 July.