Irish PSO

[runawayedge]

Recently heard a rumour that the Irish PSO to Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway and Kerry is to be at the very least substanially reduced if not axed completley following a government review....anybody hear anything??

[ecj]

When are they due for renewal?

[brabazon]

Given that the subvention per passenger on the Dublin - Knock PSO route is some €280 (one-way) perhaps a review is needed and hiring a car for each passenger would be cheaper!!

[MarkD]

given the likes of BA and Baby seem to be able to operate to NOC without subsidy I guess it has crossed the mind of some that PSO could come down a touch. SXL and CFN will probably still need it though.

[brabazon]

MarkD

Don't forget that those NOC services are international to the UK, the PSO is aimed at providing links to the Irish capital, Dublin. However, the sheer level of the subsidy does call into question whether Irish taxpayers money is being wisely spent or whether improvement in the road system may have more benefits..

[runawayedge]

Sligo, Donegal and Derry were up last December and the remainder in 2005 as far as I am aware. All the PSO services are domestic. Costs approx €25m to the state annually and carries approx 300,000 pax. Think government concerned that airline costs have risen dramatically each year. Was €19m previous year.

[brabazon]

Kerry, Galway and Knock run to July 2005. Strictly Derry isn't domestic, but residents from the Irish Republic do use the service.