The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has confirmed that a review of the longer term capacity needs of our three State airports will commence within weeks.
Shane Ross T.D. was speaking at the first National Civil Aviation Development Forum Conference at Dublin Castle today.
Minister Ross welcomed “the daa’s decision to proceed with the development of a second parallel runway at Dublin airport” adding that “the review will include an option for a third, independent terminal at Dublin airport.”
Minister Ross added: “The question must be continually asked: Is a State monopoly at Irish airports in the interest of the users, the tax-payer or the travelling public? I think I know the answer.”
Minister Ross spoke of the growth opportunities with forecasts for the demand for air travel to double over the next 20 years “With that growth, there should be opportunities for airlines, new routes and services as well as in Aviation Recruitment and software development for the industry.”
The Minister further added that Brexit was the most significant development with likely negative impacts on the liberalisation of the air transport market, adding that “the only solution for Ireland is that the market should remain fully liberalised and deregulated, and that existing traffic rights should be preserved.”
He stated: “An ambitious policy such as our National Aviation Policy does not exist in isolation. It must be supported by other government policies and actions – such as our framework policies for training and skills, enterprise development, job creation and regional development – if its full potential is to be realised.”
Issues at todays event were debated by a number of senior personnel in the aviation industry including Eamonn Brennan (IAA), Stephen Kavanagh (Aer Lingus), Aengus Kelly (AerCap), Conor McCarthy (Dublin Aerospace), Michael O’Leary (Ryanair), Andy O’Shea (Ryanair), Matthew Thomas (Shannon Group), and Kevin Toland (daa).