4 October 2001

IHF WELCOMES INCENTIVES TO ATTRACT NEW AIRLINE BUSINESS

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) welcomes the announcement by Public Enterprise Minister Ms Mary O'Rourke TD today to introduce a zero airport charges scheme for new routes to Dublin Airport and to extend the scheme which already exists in Cork and Shannon for a further year to four years. The Federation hopes that the incentive will help to attract new routes and open up further tourist markets for this country.

"We would urge the Minister to go one step further by asking the port authorities to reduce their charges to help maintain and incentify the increase of existing ferry routes" said John Power, Chief Executive. " Ireland, as an island is totally dependent on the availability of adequate and competitive access by air and sea and it is imperative that during these difficult times, appropriate measures are in place to maintain the strategic access routes that are so vital" he said.

The IHF also welcomes the attractive discount return fare of $198 introduced yesterday by Aer Lingus for its services from New York and Boston to Ireland up to mid-December.

Further information:
Siobhan Molloy, FCC Shandwick, Tel: 01 676 0168/086 8175066