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16 December 2008: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) predicts difficult trading conditions in 2009 following a further downturn in air traffic levels during November 2008. Aviation is very closely linked to the global economy and while it is not surprising to see this traffic downturn given the current turmoil, it is a further indication that the IAA’s business will be severely challenged through 2009.

The IAA is responsible for providing air traffic control services at the three State airports (Shannon, Dublin and Cork) and to almost 90% of all traffic transiting between Europe and North America. The IAA also provides communications services to aircraft operating on the North Atlantic.

The number of aircraft using Irish controlled airspace in November 2008 reflected the European trend with air traffic declining in all key areas.

• En route operations (over flights operating between Europe and North America) were down 7.1% on November 2007.
• North Atlantic Communications showed a similar trend, down 6.5% on the same period last year.
• Commercial air traffic movements at the State airports were down on November 2007 as follows; Dublin –4%, Shannon –2.5% and Cork -14.7%.

As a result of the downturn in traffic and the expected difficult year ahead in 2009, the IAA has proposed a package of measures to keep staff and overhead costs under control. This package is currently under discussion with Unions. The Authority is, however, also cognisant of the requirement to take clear account of the time it takes to deliver projects and train staff to meet customer demands in the medium term.

NATS, the UK's major air traffic management company exhibited similar trends in November

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