Media

21 November 2011:  45 graduates formally entered the world of aviation today at an Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) graduation ceremony in Limerick. The 26 air traffic controllers and 19 radio officers will each play a vital part in securing the safe transit of aircraft through Irish controlled airspace.

The air traffic controllers are based at Dublin or Shannon where their role is to safely control air traffic through Irish airspace. Shannon controllers are responsible for approximately 85 per cent of all air traffic which transits between Europe and North America.

In 2010, the IAA safely controlled almost 300,000 aircraft as they passed through Irish airspace en route between Europe and North America.  This was in addition to nearly 200,000 aircraft which passed through the three State airports (Shannon, Dublin and Cork) last year.

The role of the radio officers is to provide long range radio communications to aircraft in the eastern half of the North Atlantic - an area covering approximately one million square miles. These aircraft do not land in Ireland.

Officiating at the ceremony, IAA Chairman, Ms Anne Nolan said that, thanks to the rigorous IAA training programme, the graduates reached the highest standards in air traffic management and their qualifications would be recognised throughout the world.

 "Safety is the over-riding priority in everything we do at the IAA. These graduates now carry the huge responsibility of making sure that each and every aircraft flying in Irish airspace does so safely. They will become part of the IAA team, which has a reputation, second to none, for safe and efficient air traffic management services," she said.

137 air traffic controllers have graduated from the IAA's training centre in Shannon, Co. Clare since 1997. This is the first graduation of radio officers since the IAA came into existence in 1994.    

Mr. Eamonn Brennan, IAA Chief Executive said "the IAA has invested heavily in its technology and systems in recent years. These graduates will work with one of the most advanced air traffic management systems in Europe, ensuring safety continues to be the number one priority and providing an efficient service for airlines that enter our airspace."

ENDS