Media

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is today marking the 70th anniversary of the opening of Ireland's High Frequency (HF) communications centre. Shannon Aeradio, which is located at Ballygirreen, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare, was founded in 1936 to provide long range communications for the transatlantic flying boat service located in nearby Foynes. Today, the centre is responsible for communicating via long distance radio with up to 1,250 transatlantic flights per day.

2006 also marks the 40th anniversary of the Shanwick agreement. Under this agreement, signed by the Irish and UK governments in 1966, Shannon Aeradio provides HF communications to aircraft on the eastern half of the North Atlantic while Prestwick in Scotland provides air traffic control services to aircraft in the same area. The term Shanwick is derived from Shannon and Prestwick.

The occasion is also being used to mark the installation of new cutting-edge equipment at Shannon Aeradio worth EUR4.5 million, which has increased efficiencies and will enable the centre to meet future challenges and opportunities. The beginning of a new co-operative agreement with the Icelandic Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) is also being marked. Under this agreement, the IAA and the ICAA will provide HF communications services across each others areas of responsibility. This is important as it will mean that a seamless HF communications service can be provided across a wider area of the strategic North Atlantic region.

The Shannon Aeradio station is also home to the national AFTN (Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network) Centre, which delivers data such as airline movements and flight plans to a worldwide network, and also a weather broadcast service heard throughout the world.

Speaking at the unveiling of a plaque to mark Shannon Aeradio's 70th anniversary, Mr. Jerry Liston, Chairman of the IAA said; "I heartily congratulate both past and present staff at Shannon Aeradio on reaching this milestone. In such a fast-changing industry as the aviation sector, it is an incredible achievement for this station to be operating and thriving after 70 years. It is a testament to the enthusiasm and professionalism with which the staff carry out their work. I wish Shannon Aeradio every good wish for the future."

Almost 90 per cent of all traffic that transits the North Atlantic en-route between Europe and North America passes through Irish airspace. Shannon Aeradio communicates with the vast majority of these every day. This amounts to up to 1,250 flights per 24 hours during the busy summer months.

The Irish Aviation Authority employs approximately 300 people in the Shannon region with 70 of these working in Shannon Aeradio.