Management Team

Declan Fitzpatrick

Chief Executive

Declan Fitzpatrick was appointed Chief Executive for the Irish Aviation Authority in April, 2023. Declan has worked with the IAA aviation regulator since 2006, holding various management positions and regulatory roles. Declan has 30 year’s experience in the aviation industry with previous roles in airline, maintenance, continued airworthiness and design organisations. He has also served as an Commissioner on the Air Navigation Commission of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) based in their headquarters in Montreal, leading the development of the global standards and recommended practices for civil aviation.

Declan holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Dublin City University, a Master Science in Managing Risk and System Change from Trinity College Dublin and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Trinity College Dublin.

James Gavin

Director Operations

Josephine O'Reilly

Chief Financial Officer

Josephine O’Reilly is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in Ireland. She joined the Commission for Aviation Regulation as Financial Accountant in 2001 and has over 17 years of experience managing financial operations within State Bodies. She was appointed as Director of Finance of the IAA in 2021.

David Hodnett

Company Secretary

David Hodnett is a solicitor and the IAA's Director of Legal Affairs and Company Secretary. Previously he was Deputy Commissioner and Director of Legal Affairs at the Commission for Aviation Regulation which merged with the IAA in 2023.

He is a graduate of the University of Limerick (B.A.), Trinity College Dublin (M.Sc.) and the Law Society of Ireland and advises the Authority on legal issues.

Dr. Adrian Corcoran

Director of Economic Regulation, Licensing and Consumer Affairs

Adrian Corcoran is the Director of Economics, Licensing and Consumer Affairs in the IAA. Adrian is responsible for the price regulation of Dublin Airport and AirNav Ireland, setting capacity at Dublin Airport, economic licensing of air carriers, ground handlers, travel agents and tour operators, and consumer protection in relation to air passengers. Prior to its merger with the IAA Adrian started with the Commission for Aviation Regulation as an economist, in 2014 he was promoted to Director of Economic Regulation, and in 2021 to Director of Markets and Consumer Policy. Prior to working in regulation Adrian worked as a lecturer and researcher.

Adrian holds a Doctorate in Economics, a Masters in Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce degree, all from University College Dublin.

Brian Higgins

Director of Human Resources, Facilities & Environment

Brian Higgins was appointed Director of Human Resources, Facilities & Environment for the Irish Aviation Authority on 1st May 2023 having held the position as Director of Corporate Services in the Commission for Aviation Regulation prior to its merger with the IAA.

He is responsible for the HR, Facilities & Environment Directorate.

Brian has 35 years’ experience across the public and private sector in both HR and Operational roles across health, manufacturing, finance, and the aviation sectors.

Brian is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development and holds a BA in Industrial Relations & Personnel Management from the NCI, and Diplomas in Organisational Behaviour from the IMI/UCC and Public Sector Corporate Governance from IPA.