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The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar announced plans to develop the first ever civil aviation policy for Ireland at the Aviation Policy for Ireland conference in the Convention Center Dublin yesterday where over 400 delegates attended the conference organised by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport and the Irish Aviation Authority.
Minister Leo Varadkar said “The aviation sector is critically important to a small open economy like Ireland. It’s already a significant employer which employs 20,000 people, and is worth 4.1 billion to the economy.
As an island, air access is vital for our tourism industry, our exports, and our relationship with the rest of the world. Ireland has a very long and proud tradition in aviation with many of our companies recognized as world-leaders in their fields.
I want to ensure that overall Government policy supports the industry and promotes growth. That’s why I’m launching this process to develop a meaningful policy framework, supported by the industry, and which allows us to plan for the future of this vital industry.”
Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) CEO Eamonn Brennan said “We punch way above our weight in world aviation and we need to capitalize on that. 25% of all aircraft leased in the world are leased out of Dublin; we are recognized innovators – we put together the first large aviation-leasing outfit in the world, GPA. We are home to the largest low-cost carrier in the world. We have driven some of the major innovations in engine technology, in maintenance, and in financing. We can capitalize further on the value of this vital sector.”
The conference is the first stage in the development of a national aviation policy forming the basis for guiding decision-making in the sector for the next 20 years . This new policy will be designed to expand the Irish aviation industry, make it more competitive, and tackle barriers to growth, consultations will take place with the industry throughout 2013 with the aim of publishing a policy framework in early 2014.
The Irish Aviation sector accounts for 3% of GDP (€5 Billion Gross value added) directing employing 18,000 with salaries of €1.3 Billion (Source Enterprise Ireland).
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 4th December 2012 All Rights Reserved.
