New IAA Schedule of Charges for Personnel Licensing Published

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has released its updated Schedule of Charges for Personnel Licensing, effective 1^st January 2026, introducing increases across flight crew licences, certificates and ratings in line with inflation. The new schedule replaces the July 2025 version and applies average fee rises of approximately 2.6 – 3% across most licensing activities.

While the initial issue fee for LAPL, PPL, SPL and BPL licences remains unchanged at €320, which is very welcome, higher-tier licences see increases. The CPL and MPL move from €576 to €592, and the ATPL rises from €770 to €791. Replacement licence costs have similarly been adjusted upward, reflecting the broader trend of incremental increases. Rating fees have also been revised, with the initial issue of most type, class, IR and BIR ratings increasing from €384 to €394, and microlight, gyroplane or balloon ratings rising from €96 to €99. Revalidation, renewal and removal of restrictions now sit at €99, up from €96, and additional pilot privilege ratings such as night, mountain, towing, flight test and aerobatic authorisations all increase from €128 to €131.

Language proficiency endorsements see adjustments as well, with renewals and additional language endorsements increasing from €96 to €99. Administrative costs associated with licensing continue the upward trend: verification of licence details increases from €96 to €99, special authorisation to fly aircraft types outside the FCL guide rises from €384 to €394, and the Personnel Licensing Review Board minimum fee increases from €512 to €526.

Instructors and examiners, groups that often hold multiple certificates, are significantly impacted. TRI, SFI, MCCI and FTI certificate fees rise from €758 to €778 for initial issue, renewal or revalidation, while privilege extensions for FI, CRI, IRI, STI and MI certificates increase from €96 to €99. Certificates issued under FCL.900(c) and FCL.1000(c), applying to instructors or examiners operating outside EASA states without a Part-FCL licence, also increase from €1,000 to €1,027.

Although none of these adjustments are dramatic individually, their cumulative effect will be felt by student pilots, instructors, examiners and operators who rely on frequent renewals or multiple ratings. The fee increases also reflect updated payment terms and cost‑recovery requirements outlined in the 2026 schedule, continuing the IAA’s alignment of licensing charges with operational costs.