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• Strategic, national infrastructure to enhance economic growth for Ireland

• Increases safety and efficiency of aircraft movements at Dublin airport

• Tower will meet air traffic growth on second runway

• €50 million construction cost met from IAA resources and delivered on time and to specification during Covid restrictions.

• Equipped with world leading technology to improve efficiencies and sustainability

The IAA’s new air traffic control (ATC) tower at Dublin airport, was officially opened today by Ms Hildegarde Naughton TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport.

The iconic new facility represents a commitment by IAA’s Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) to improved safety, energy efficiency, and enhanced service for customers.

Its commitment to the new tower is part of its strategic national infrastructure, enabling economic development  across Ireland. Construction began in 2017 when there was rapid growth in air traffic and notwithstanding the pandemic, air traffic growth is expected to rebound quickly in the coming years.

The new tower will facilitate the operation of the new runway at Dublin airport, freeing up additional capacity and reducing air traffic delays at the airport. 

The 86.9-metre-high tower is the centre that manages the safe take-off and landing of all aircraft at Dublin airport. It is the tallest inhabited building in the country and can be seen from towns and villages in Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare and Wicklow.

Supporting highly skilled jobs, the new tower includes a control cab, where air traffic controllers have a 360-degree view of Dublin airport, now required with the second runway due to come into operation later this year. Fitted out with the most modern air traffic management, communications and aviation surveillance equipment, the new tower, as the most modern ATC facility in Europe is designed to ensure safety of operations at Dublin airport. 

Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton TD said: “This new Air Traffic Control Tower is a significant piece of national infrastructure which will support aircraft movement at Dublin Airport, both enhancing safety and connectivity as we recover from the pandemic. The tower is equipped with state-of-the-art technology which will improve energy efficiency while also meeting growing air traffic demand. This investment will have a positive impact for industry and for domestic and international customers in the years ahead.

Ms. Rose Hynes, Chairman IAA said that this new Air Traffic Control tower represents an investment in a modern air safety management service.  The IAA is playing its part by having this best-in-class infrastructure in advance readiness to efficiently facilitate the extra demand for air traffic control and parallel runway operations at Dublin airport.

“The new tower is also an investment in energy efficiency and sustainability. This commitment improves overall air traffic safety as well as the environmental health and quality of life for our colleagues in our workplace.”

The design includes the most up-to-date navigation, communication and air traffic management systems, providing air traffic controllers with the necessary tools to manage air traffic in the airport with safety and efficiency.

Mr Peter Kearney, Chief Executive IAA said that the new tower was a strategic national asset and an investment in aviation safety and improved service and costs.

“This is a commitment to provide a state-of-the-art air traffic management system, the development of staff and the delivery of a world class safety service. I am proud of the team effort to bring the new tower into service. It comes at a time when global air traffic returns to normality. The new tower reflects the strength and importance of aviation to Ireland, an industry of key strategic importance.

“Ireland as an island nation is hugely dependent upon aviation and therefore the safe and efficient management of air traffic growth remains a key driver for our economy. This new Dublin Air Traffic Control tower will facilitate the aircraft movements to deliver over 30 million passengers to and from Ireland in a safe, efficient and sustainable way,” he said.

Designed by Scott Tallon Walker architects and built by BAM Ireland it replaces the old air traffic tower, which came into operation in the early 1980s. This will now be used as a back-up tower and for training new air traffic control personnel.

Since this iconic tower was completed in 2020, it has undergone comprehensive safety checks to make sure it meets international safety regulations. It cost €50 million to build and the funds were provided by the IAA from its reserves.

The IAA ANSP provides terminal air traffic control services at the State airports of Dublin, Cork and Shannon. The busiest of these airports is Dublin and its controllers are responsible for an airspace block of almost 6,000 square nautical miles.

The IAA receives no State funding. Its revenues are generated through charges and fees raised from its airline customers and regulatory clients in respect of its operational and regulatory activities.

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Media Enquiries: David Curtin | 086 283 2123 | david@curtin.ie

Irish Aviation Authority

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is a commercial semi-state company employing over 700 people at six locations around Ireland. The IAA has two main functions: the regulation of the civil aviation industry in Ireland and the provision of air traffic management and related services in Irish controlled airspace.

The IAA is currently undergoing a process of structural change. Air navigation service provision (including air traffic control) will be separated out as a stand-alone entity, and the Commission for Aviation Regulation will be merged with the IAA. Peter Kearney will continue as CEO of the Air Navigation Service Provider, and Diarmuid Ó Conghaile has been appointed Aviation Regulator / CEO of the reconstituted IAA, which will be the overall sectoral regulator with responsibility for safety and security, as well as the economic regulation (incl. Dublin Airport charges), consumer protection and licensing / supervision of the travel trade. www.iaa.ie