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Irish air traffic is set to increase over the next seven years, according to the latest air traffic forecast published by EUROCONTROL. While 2013 is forecast to be a challenging year for Irish air traffic figures, the outlook for the seven year period is for an average of 2.5% growth per year up to 2019.

In Europe in general for 2013, the report forecasts a traffic decline of -1.3% and cites the weakness of the economic outlook in Europe, very high oil prices, slower-than-expected recovery from the Arab Spring and the financial difficulties of the air traffic industry as contributing factors. In the following years up to 2019, however, economic growth is expected to return and flight growth is expected to stabilise at around 3% per year.

Irish air traffic figures for 2013 to date would seem to confirm EUROCONTROL’s forecast. Total flights in Irish airspace in February 2013* decreased by -5.3%, when compared to February 2012. There was an average of 1,227 daily flights during February 2013, with the busiest day being 22nd February with 1,369 flights in Irish airspace.

There was a decrease of -6.9% in Ireland’s en route traffic movements (flights that pass through Irish airspace but do not land) during February 2013, in comparison to February 2012. Similarly, North Atlantic Communications flights (Europe /North America flights) saw a decrease of -7.2% in February 2013, when compared to February 2012.

Individually, the February 2013 figures for the three State airports, when compared to the same month in the previous year are:

• Dublin down by -1.6%, with an average of 382 commercial daily movements.
• Cork down by -2.1%, with an average of 49 commercial daily movements.
• Shannon down -17%, with an average of 44 commercial daily movements.

(*It must be noted that February 2012 was a leap year and accordingly had an extra day for flights in Irish controlled airspace, making direct comparisons with February 2013 slightly distorted).

View flight statistics in full

ENDS

For more information contact:

Tony lane

Tel: +353 1 603 1199 / Mob: +353 86 7911864

Email: tony.lane@iaa.ie