Media

10th April 2015: In 2014 Ireland was ranked joint first out of 29 European States for the measure of Effectiveness of Safety Management. This key safety performance indicator relates to a State’s oversight of air navigation services. It is a measure of the maturity, processes and procedures involved in the management of safety within Member States.

Eamonn Brennan, IAA Chief Executive said, “Safety is our business and we regulate the Irish civil aviation industry to the highest international standards. The ‘Effectiveness of Safety Management’ measure is an important yardstick regarding the State’s safety oversight of air traffic management. It is very encouraging to see Ireland performing very well in this area and highlights our robust safety oversight capability.”

Meanwhile, total air traffic in Irish airspace grew by 5.3% during the first quarter of 2015 to 114,527 flights, including a 7.2% increase in commercial movements at the three State airports compared to the same period in 2014 (with a total of 47,547 movements during the quarter; Dublin up 10%, no change at Shannon and Cork down 10%).

Ireland’s en route traffic movements (flights, which do not land in Ireland) grew 4.3% and North Atlantic Communications flights (Europe /US Flights) saw an increase of 2% in Q1 2015, when compared to Q1 2014.

“Our traffic statistics highlight a sustained upward trend in the demand for air traffic between Europe and North America during the first quarter of 2015. Likewise traffic at Dublin airport is continuing to increase year-on-year on top of strong gains in 2014”, said Eamonn Brennan.

Focusing on the latest figures for the month of March, total flights in Irish airspace have increased by 3%:

• Ireland’s en route traffic movements decreased 0.7% to 22,924
• North Atlantic Communications flights saw an increase of 2.2% to 32,796.
• Commercial terminal traffic for Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports grew by 8.7% to 17,088.
  • Dublin was up by 11.5% (average of 466 daily commercial movements).
  • Cork was down by 8.8% (average of 44 commercial daily movements).
  • Shannon was up by 0.6% (average of 41 commercial daily movements).

For media queries, please contact:

Tony Lane

Communications Executive

Irish Aviation Authority

Tel: +353 1 603 1199 

Mob: +353 86 7911864