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30 July 2012: Total flights in Irish airspace have decreased by 0.70%, when compared to June 2011. There was an average of 1,399 daily flights during June 2012, with the busiest day being 15th June with 1,599 flights in Irish airspace.

There was a decrease of 0.70% in Ireland's en-route traffic movements (flights that pass through Irish airspace but do not land in Ireland) during June 2012, in comparison to June 2011. However, the IAA's analysis of North Atlantic Communications flights (Europe /North America flights) saw an increase of 0.14% in June 2012, when compared to June 2011.

On a cumulative basis, the growth in en-route traffic movements and North Atlantic Communications flights for January to June 2012, compared to the same period last year, was 0.6% and 0.12%, respectively.

In relation to international arrivals and departures, the commercial terminal traffic for Cork, Dublin and Shannon airports rose by 1.2% in June 2012, when compared to June 2011. This is the first time in 2012 that we have seen traffic growth at the State airports. Individually, the June 2012 figures for commercial terminal flights at the three State airports, when compared to the same month in the previous year are:

• Dublin up 1.5%, with an average of 479 daily commercial movements.
• Cork up 1.3%, with an average of 72 commercial daily movements.
• Shannon down 1.3%, with an average of 63 commercial daily movements.

On a cumulative basis, commercial terminal traffic for Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports for January to June 2012 was down by 1.4%.

According to International Air Transport Association's (IATA) latest industry Airlines Financial Monitor June 2012, global airline share prices held ground in June, but underperformed other industries despite a sharp fall in fuel prices. Q1 profits were significantly down on a year ago due to higher fuel prices earlier in the year, although North American airlines stood out with improved performance, but market conditions during the second quarter have been supportive for airline profits. In particular, oil prices fell further in June declining $30/bbl since the peak in Q1, as oil supply increased and global economic growth expectations fell further.

Worldwide airline fares have fallen 2% this year, though the US is the exception as airlines in the region are managing to maintain higher yields with strong load factors. Air travel continued to expand through the second quarter, though there were signs of softness in May traffic, while seasonally adjusted air freight levels are still above the lows of late 2011. Asset utilization also weakened in May, passenger load factors fell as increases in capacity outstripped growth in demand, and cargo load factors contracted slightly but remained above the lows of late 2011.

ENDS

For further information contact

Tony Lane
Assistant Communications Officer
+353 1 603 1199 / tony.lane@iaa.ie

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