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The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is responsible for the regulation of Irish airspace and ensuring it is used safely and efficiently. To achieve this, the IAA certifies Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), who manage specific areas of airspace designated to them for the provision of services such as Air Traffic Control (ATC). 

The airspace area around Cork Airport has been designated to the State ANSP, Air Nav Ireland, for the provision of ATC. This airspace, known as a control zone, covers Cork Airport, Cork city and a large portion of the surrounding areas. 

Any aircraft, whether manned or unmanned (i.e. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)/drones) operating in the control zone are subject to entry conditions. AirNav Ireland manage that access. Within the ATC Control Zones there are additional blocks of airspace with specific rules for UAS/drone operations. These airspace blocks or volumes are called UAS Geographical Zones and are available to view on iaa.ie/geozones 

Currently, below certain heights (30 metres in some zones), a UAS/drone pilot may operate in the Cork ATC control zone without seeking an entry permission from AirNav Ireland. With the introduction of the new UAS Geographical Zone, a UAS/drone pilot must coordinate, in advance, with Cork ATC by submitting a form to AirNav Ireland. This is required to ensure the safety of all UAS/drones operations withing the Cork ATC control zone.

Under European regulation, when required, the ANSP should apply to the IAA to establish a UGZ to help ensure safe use of the airspace. The IAA reviews each application in detail, including the proposed activities and supporting evidence, to determine whether the introduction of a UGZ is justified and meets required safety standards. Applications may restrict UAS/drone activity, for example near an airport or other critical infrastructure, or to enable a certain type of UAS/drone activity. 

In this instance, a company that operates UAS/drones beyond visual line of slight – Manna – requested permission to operate within the Cork Control Zone. The service provider for the Cork ATC Control Zone, AirNav Ireland, entered discussion with Manna to establish operational procedures to allow for this BVLOS operation. The block or volume of airspace required to safely contain the BVLOS operations was also determined. AirNav Ireland then made an application to the IAA to establish a UGZ.

There will be no change to how ‘blue light’ emergency services access this airspace. Emergency services will continue to have absolute priority, and all non-emergency drone activity will be paused immediately whenever required to ensure safe access.

To support continual improvement and gather feedback, the IAA is consulting with aviation stakeholders and seeking input from airspace users in the Cork Air Traffic Control Zone. For more information, please see iaa.ie/consultation