Air traffic figures for first quarter 2012 disappointing
12 April 2012: Traffic figures published today by the Irish Aviation Authority for January to March 2012 inclusive show that compared to the same period in 2011, commercial terminal traffic at Dublin, Shannon and Cork has declined, down 3.8%. Marginal growth was recorded in en-route traffic movements (flights which do not land in Ireland) up 1.2% and also in flights between Europe and USA (served by the IAA's North Atlantic Communications Centre) up 1.8%. Total traffic for the first three months of 2012 is down 1.8%.
The IAA’s traffic figures for March 2012 indicate that total flights in Irish airspace have decreased by 1.2%, when compared to March 2011. This reduction is largely attributable to the continued downturn in international arrivals and departures at the three State airports. There was an average of 1,331 daily flights during March 2012, with the busiest day being the 30th of March with 1,550 flights in Irish airspace.
There was an increase of 2.3% in Ireland’s en-route traffic movements (flights which do not land in Ireland) during March 2012, in comparison to March 2011 and the IAA’s analysis of flights between Europe and USA served by the IAA's North Atlantic Communications Centre between Europe and USA also saw an increase of 3% in March 2012, when compared to March 2011.
In relation to international arrivals and departures, the commercial terminal traffic for Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports dropped by 4.1% in March 2012, when compared to March 2011. Individually, the March 2012 figures for the three State airports, when compared to the same month in the previous year are:
- Commercial terminal flights at Dublin were down by 3.6%, with an average of 392 daily commercial movements at Dublin;
- Commercial terminal flights at Cork were down 8%, with an average of 50 commercial daily movements at Cork;
- Commercial terminal flights at Shannon were down 3.9%, with an average of 44 commercial daily movements at Shannon.
The IAA’s monthly analysis of delays from Air Traffic Flow Regulations indicates that only 33 aircraft were delayed during January to March 2012 and these delays were all weather related. The IAA proactively manages air traffic flows to ensure that delays are kept to a minimum and is traditionally one of the best performers in Europe in this respect.
ENDS