Increase in Irish Air Traffic in February
IAA air traffic figures for February are up 6.2% on the 2018 figures. Dublin saw the biggest growth with 7.5% while Shannon movements were down 9.4%.
- Commercial terminal flights at Dublin were up by +7.5% with an average of 555 daily movements at Dublin.
- Commercial terminal flights at Cork were up by +6.5%, with an average of 49 daily movements at Cork.
- Commercial terminal flights at Shannon were down by -9.4% with an average of 39 daily movements at Shannon.
Year to date total traffic climbed by 5% compared to the same period in 2018. 75,391 flights were handled through Irish Airspace in February, an increase of 3.2% over February 2018. There was an 4.5% increase in Ireland’s overflight traffic movements (flights, which do not land in Ireland), in comparison to February 2018. There were 22,815 overflight traffic movements in February 2019. February also saw a 3.2% increase in North Atlantic Communications flights (Europe /US Flights), in comparison to the same month in 2018. There were 32,496 North Atlantic Communications flights handled in February 2019.
IAA Chief Executive Peter Kearney
Peter Kearney, Chief Executive of the IAA said, “These figures from the three state airports demonstrate the robust nature of the airline industry in Ireland. This growth is great news for both the economy and those employed in the sector, which continues to expand at record rates. Despite this positive news, we do remain cautious regarding our forecasts as Brexit continues to cast a shadow over future potential growth.”
According to an article in the Clare Herald, Shannon is the busiest airport in the country for unscheduled landings. In 2018 there were 130 diversions up from 113 in 2017, eight of these were emergencies compared to five the previous year. Diversions due to technical issues (7) and medical emergencies (16) were both down on 2017 (24 & 24). The balance of the diversions were operational being as a result of bad weather at Dublin, Knock and Cork, technical stops for fuel and two diversions due to illegal drone activity at Gatwick in December. By comparison Dublin had 70 non-scheduled landings during the year while Cork had 19.
New Voice Communication & Control System Contract Signed
Austrian based communications company Frequentis has been selected to provide the design, supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, maintenance and annual support of IAA’s main voice communication and control systems for Dublin, Cork, and Ballycasey. In addition, Frequentis will provide communication systems for Shannon Tower and Ballycasey contingency and validation facility.
”We are pleased to be working with IAA on their voice control modernization to manage increased traffic growth, providing a networked voice communication system, enabling continued safe and efficient voice communications. It underpins our role as world market leader in VCS.” said Hannu Juurakko, Frequentis Vice President ATM Civil.
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
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