Dublin Air Traffic Continues to Grow as IAA Gears Up for FlightFest
Air traffic at Dublin continues to see strong growth and increased by 7.7% in August when compared to the same month last year. This is the 6th consecutive month of growth at Dublin. In total, commercial terminal traffic for the three state airports was up by 5.1% in August when compared to last year.
These positive statistics come ahead of the FlightFest, a spectacular celebration of Irish aviation organised by the IAA. On 15th September, over 30 commercial, military and historic aircraft will fly down the course of the River Liffey from Dublin Port to the Customs House as part of the Gathering Ireland 2013. This sustained fly past will take two hours to complete, with flights sequenced at five minute intervals.
Some of the world’s most modern and sophisticated large commercial aircraft will take part in this stunning aerial parade, with all the major Irish and some international airlines. Commercial aircraft types will include Embraer 195; ATR72; Boeing 737, 757 and 767; and Airbus A320, A321, A300, A330, A340 and the gigantic Superjumbo A380.
A great line up of classic aircraft will add a measure of historic glamour to the event. These will include the last remaining airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress in Europe, a Vulcan B2 strategic bomber, a Hawker Hunter and a Korean War era F86 Sabre.
IAA CEO, Eamonn Brennan said ‘Flightfest will be fun free family day out and a celebration of Ireland’s outstanding contribution to international aviation. The sight and sound of these magnificent aircraft over the Liffey will be spectacular and memorable for years to come. The Irish Aviation Authority is proud and excited to be organising this event’.
Individually, the August 2013 figures for commercial terminal flights at the three State airports are:
- Dublin up 7.7% with an average of 514 daily movements.
- Cork down by 7.6%, with an average of 66 daily movements.
- Shannon down by 0.7%, with an average of 56 daily movements.
Total flights in Irish airspace have decreased by -1.1% when compared to August 2012. There was an average of 1,574 daily flights during August 2013, with the busiest day being 18th August with 1,691 flights in Irish airspace.
There was a decrease of 4.7% in Ireland’s en-route traffic movements (flights that pass through Irish airspace but do not land) during August 2013. However, North Atlantic Communications flights (Europe / North America) saw an increase of 1% in August.
On a cumulative basis, the decline in en-route traffic movements and North Atlantic Communications flights for January to August 2013, compared to the same period last year, was -0.5 % and -0.17%, respectively.