The Government of the Republic of Ireland has really set the cat amongst the pigeons by cancelling air travel tax from all the airports in the Republic with effect April 2014. Whilst the current figure is only €3 this is bound to have an effect on Belfast City, Belfast International and Londonderry airports in Northern Ireland. Presently all flights, in the Six Counties, including long haul, pay £13 per passenger.
Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) operates Dublin and Cork airports in Government ownership. Shannon Airport was privatised at the beginning of 2013.
“Passenger numbers at Dublin Airport have increased by 1 million over the past 12 months and we expect Cork Airport to return to growth next year”, a DAA spokesman said. “Anything that is positive for the Irish aviation sector is welcome”, he added.
DAA noted that the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, had indicated that he expected the Government’s move would generate a response from airlines in the form of additional services. www.daa.ie
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