The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has released its draft Statement of Strategy for 2026–2028, inviting public and stakeholder feedback before final adoption. The plan outlines how the IAA will continue to safeguard the safety, security, sustainability, and consumer focus of Ireland’s civil aviation while enabling innovation and growth.
The IAA’s vision is to be a global regulatory leader in safe, secure, sustainable, and innovative civil aviation, enhancing connectivity and supporting economic growth. Its mission is to regulate to the highest professional standards while fostering world-class performance and innovation. Core values include safety first, consumer focus, sustainability, integrity, professionalism, collaboration, and respect for diversity and inclusion.
Strategic Priorities
The strategy is structured around six priorities:
Enhancing Regulatory Performance – Strengthening the EU and national regulatory frameworks to keep pace with technological developments, implementing proportionate, risk-based rules, and improving access to tailored regulatory guidance. This includes efficiency gains through digitalisation, data-driven oversight, and faster regulatory responses.
Protecting the Public – Safeguarding consumer interests through fair economic regulation, oversight of airport charges, encouraging competition and new routes, ensuring high-quality air navigation services, and maintaining robust consumer protection measures. The IAA will focus on passenger rights, including for those with reduced mobility, and intervene effectively during disruptions.
Promoting Sustainability – Embedding sustainability in all regulatory decisions, meeting environmental responsibilities, supporting industry in adopting greener technologies, and fostering initiatives such as sustainable fuels, electric propulsion, and operational efficiencies. A certified Environmental Management System will be developed, with climate resilience integrated into sector planning and cross-industry collaboration promoted.
Supporting Stakeholders – Enhancing transparency, communication, and consultation with industry, public, and international partners. The IAA will represent Irish interests globally, ensure a level playing field in regulation, support the aviation leasing industry, and improve public communications, including during disruptions.
Supporting Innovation and Growth – Providing regulatory support to research and development, creating centres of excellence, and enabling emerging industries such as innovative air mobility and AI in aviation. The IAA aims to address skills shortages, support training institutions, encourage youth engagement in aviation, and expand general aviation activities.
Building Organisational Capability – Investing in staff development, implementing a competency framework, enhancing data analytics for decision-making, streamlining processes through digital transformation, and exploring new revenue streams such as training and consultancy services. Strong governance, financial discipline, and compliance with the State Code of Practice will be maintained.
The IAA will track progress through a balanced scorecard measuring financial efficiency, process improvement, innovation, workforce competence, and stakeholder satisfaction, alongside safety performance indicators. Results will be reported publicly via annual reports and safety performance statements.
Consultation Process
The IAA invites feedback on whether the strategy aligns with stakeholder expectations. Responses can be submitted via an online consultation form by 5pm, Friday 5th September 2025. Response can be submitted by form here or by emailing your comments to consultation@iaa.ie
The full consultation document can be read here.
