HC Deb 14 December 1978 vol 960 cc305-6W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the scheduled flight fares from London and other United Kingdom airports to Dublin, Shannon and Cork ; how these fares compare with internal air fares per passenger-mile ; how operators justified fares to Eire when last increased: if he is considering any application to increase United Kingdom/Eire air fares: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Clinton Davis

The principal fares are as follows:

  • London—Dublin
  • First single:£54.00
  • Economy single:£36.00 (Return fares double)
  • Economy excursion return:£48 or £60 (According to length of stay and date of travel).
  • Belfast | Edinburgh | Glasgow | Manchester—Dublin
  • First single:£46.00
  • Economy single:£30.50 (Return fares double)
  • Economy excursion return:£36.50 or £45 (According to length of stay and date of travel).
  • London—Shannon
  • First single:£64.00
  • Economy single:£43.00 (Return fares double)
  • Economy excursion return:£58 or £72 (According to length of stay and date of travel).
  • London—Cork
  • First single:£62.50
  • Economy single:£41.50 (Return fares double)
  • Economy excursion return:£56 or £70 (According to length of stay and date of travel).

Normal and excursion economy fares between mainland United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland range between approximately 6.6p and 15.6p per mile, and those within the United Kingdom between approximately 6.4p and 23p per mile, according to flight lengths and conditions of travel. The last fares increase between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland was justified by operators on the basis of increased costs and no further increase is at present under consideration.