This represents a 2% increase on the 513,236 flights recorded in 2010. However, more significantly, the 2011 performance is 13% below the number of flights in 2008, the peak year for Irish traffic, and is only on a par with volumes being achieved pre 2005.

Combined commercial terminal traffic movements for Dublin, Shannon and Cork in 2011 were up marginally on 2010. However the traffic levels were 27.5% less than those recorded in 2008. Traffic for individual airports was:  

• Dublin recorded 154,457 commercial terminal flights in 2011, an increase of 0.9% on 2010 but 23% less than that recorded in 2008.
• Shannon recorded 19,275 commercial terminal flights in 2011, up 2.7% on 2010 but a 42% drop on 2008 levels.
• Cork recorded 22,173 commercial terminal flights in 2011, down 6.2% on 2010 but 36% down on 2008 levels.

There were 300,408 en route movements in 2011, up 2.6% on 2010 but down 3.1% on the peak 2008 figures.

Flights served by the IAAs North Atlantic Communications Centre in 2011 totalled 403,534, up 3.7% on 2010 but down 4.4% on the peak 2008 levels.

In comparing traffic volumes for 2011 with those of 2010, the IAA carried out an assessment on the impact of traffic in 2010 due to the ash cloud crisis. In summary this found that the difference in traffic volumes between 2011 and 2010 was flat with the exception of Cork airport where the volumes were down.

Mr. Eamonn Brennan, Chief Executive IAA said that a reduction in traffic volumes was very disappointing but was not unexpected in the context of the global economic crises. The Authority will continue to support the airline industry in this difficult economic period he said.

"En route charges in Irish airspace have been reduced by 8% this year and we hope to reduce these further in 2013 and 2014. Our reductions greatly exceed the minimum 3.5% required by the Single European Sky II package and Ireland is the fourth lowest in Europe for air traffic control charges to airlines in 2012.

"The terminal charges have also been reduced by 21% this month and will be cut by 6% yearly from 2013 to 2015. We will also be making some changes to services, including significant cost-cutting, to ensure we can deliver these price reductions to our terminal customers. Finally our safety regulation fees have been frozen since 2008 and we intend to continue this freeze in 2012," Mr Brennan said.

This weak performance for 2011 was reflected across Europe with the latest data from EUROCONTROL indicating that 2011 ended around 3.3% above 2010. The forecast for 2012 is for growth of only 1.6% despite the leap year effect as well as major sporting events. (Source: EUROCONTROL)

IATA too is predicting a difficult year for aviation in 2012 with weak global economic performance being reflected in air transport markets. European airlines continue to face the weakest market outlook due to the uncertainty in the Euro-zone and it predicts European airlines will make a $600 million loss in 2012, a $900 million downward revision from the September forecast, explained by the Euro-zone crisis and further increases in passenger taxes. (Source: IATA)

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More flight statistics

• Commercial terminal flights at Dublin were down by 4.1%, with an average of 366 daily movements.
• Commercial terminal flights at Cork were down 14.8%, with an average of 49 daily movements.
• Commercial terminal flights at Shannon were down 5.7%, with an average of 45 daily movements.

On a cumulative basis commercial terminal traffic for Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports between January 2011 and November 2011 was down by 0.1%. When adjusted for the Icelandic volcanic ash crisis in 2010 however, the comparable growth for the same period in 2010 is adjusted downward to a 1.3% drop in traffic. More startling is the comparison between 2011 and the peak year of 2008. Commercial terminal traffic for Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports between January 2011 and November 2011, when compared to the same months in 2008 shows a 27% drop in traffic.

Analysis of the November 2011 data from EUROCONTROL shows that only four of Irelands Top Ten Airport Pairs (from a billing perspective) showed growth, when compared to November 2010. These are Dublin - London Heathrow (1.4%); Dublin - London Gatwick (9.8%); Dublin - Manchester (0.9%) and London Heathrow - Boston (16.9%).

The IAAs traffic figures for November 2011 indicate that total flights in Irish airspace have declined by 4.5%, when compared to November 2010, making this the fourth consecutive month this year that the IAA has observed this level of downturn in total traffic numbers. There was an average of 1,240 daily flights during November 2011, the busiest day being the 11th of November with 1,415 flights in Irish airspace.                                                                         

There was a decline of 3.3% in Irelands en-route traffic movements (flights which do not land in Ireland) during November 2011, in comparison to November 2010. The IAAs analysis of North Atlantic Communications flights (Europe /US Flights) also saw a decline of 1.73% in November 2011, when compared to the same month in 2010.

On a cumulative basis, growth in en-route traffic movements and North Atlantic Communications flights between January 2011 and November 2011 was 3.5% and 4.2% respectively. However, when this growth is adjusted for the Icelandic volcanic ash crisis in 2010, the comparable growth for the eleven months between January 2011 and November 2011, when compared to 2010, is negligible.

The latest data from EUROCONTROL indicates that traffic growth for 2011 will end at about 4.5% growth in Europe. However, traffic growth in Europe during 2011 was very much driven by compensating for adverse events during 2010, with the Icelandic ash cloud, strikes and bad weather, which contributed to almost 2% lost flights in 2010. After removing this from the forecast, the underlying growth for Europe is only about 2.5%, indicating only a gradual recovery from the low 2009 year.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) cut its forecast for airline industry profits by a quarter to USD$3.5 billion for 2012 and warned the industry could plunge to an USD$8.3 billion loss if Europes debt problems trigger another banking crisis. IATA, whose 240 airlines carry 84% of global traffic, had previously forecast industry profits of USD$4.9 billion in 2012 after an estimated profit of USD$6.9 billion this year. The 2011 figure remains unchanged in IATAs latest industry outlook.

So far aviation has been relatively optimistic about its prospects as Europe teeters on the edge of recession, with rising demand in Asia and capacity restraint in North America seen boosting profits and driving talk of a two-speed market. But IATA said it could not ignore growing economic risks. North American airlines are performing better than their European rivals after cutting costs and holding down capacity but IATA said the recent American Airlines bankruptcy filing underscored the sectors fragility. (Reuters)

This was one of the Sustainable Energy Awards, which rewards excellence in energy management by organisations of all sizes. It attracted 105 entries.

The IAAs strategy is now being implemented by other air authorities, including the Maastricht Air Traffic Control Centre which controls traffic over Germany, Holland and the Benelux countries. 

47,000 tonnes of carbon emissions have been saved as a direct result of the IAAs investment in systems and technology and the continuous optimisation of Irish airspace structure and routes over the past 12 months.

Mr Eamonn Brennan, IAA CEO said Ireland is leading the way in air traffic management (ATM) systems and technology and this has resulted in increased safety, better efficiency of airline operations, reduction in the environmental impact of air travel, while at the same time supporting sustainable aviation and providing adequate capacity out to 2020.

"Airline passengers would not be aware, but we have dramatically enhanced our systems and technologies and streamlined air traffic operations and routes through Irish airspace," says Mr Brennan.

Hosted by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and sponsored by ESB Electric Ireland, the eighth annual Awards saw all business sectors recognised for their efforts in reducing energy use and CO₂ emissions. 

(L-R Brendan Halligan, Chairman, SEAI, Sean McAdam OConnell, IAA, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, Brid Horan Executive Director, ESB Electric Ireland )

Congratulating the 2011 Award winners, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Mr Pat Rabbitte, T.D., said that the economic results we were seeing from the organisations entering the awards were very encouraging.

"These translate directly into more cost competitive businesses and more cost efficient public services. By implementing energy efficient standards and practices we have a seen an average of 13% energy savings across all organisations involved in this years Sustainable Energy Awards. I congratulate all who took these steps to become more energy efficient and I urge other companies to get involved," Minister Rabbitte said.

Professor J. Owen Lewis, Chief Executive, SEAI said: "Businesses around Ireland are really embracing sustainable energy and the results show that every change implemented has made a significant difference.

"Each year we see more companies entering with exciting projects that are saving energy and benefiting their bottom line. Apart from showing leadership in energy management, a number of this years entrants have delivered significant retrofitting projects to buildings and facilities.

"We are also seeing smart new business solutions using leading edge technologies, as well as new visions of sustainable energy communities emerging. These are very promising trends and we need to see this momentum continuing in the times immediately ahead. I congratulate all the winners and finalists, "he said. 

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