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8 May 2009: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) today announced a satisfactory performance for 2008, in what was a difficult year. The IAA’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2008 show that turnover increased by 8.1 per cent to EUR166.7 million, up from EUR154.2 million in 2007. Profit after tax was recorded at EUR12.2 million, down from EUR14.7 million in 2007.

The IAA is a commercial semi-State body responsible for the provision of air traffic control services in Irish-controlled airspace, and the safety regulation of the Irish civil aviation industry. The IAA’s revenue primarily comes from charging aircraft that use Irish airspace.  

The second half of 2008 was particularly difficult as a number of factors conspired to create economic problems for our airline customers. Following on from the high oil prices in the first half of the year, came the impact of the credit crunch, meltdown in financial markets and the onset of global economic recession. The deterioration in the financial markets also had a severe impact on the Authority’s pension scheme and the Authority is currently examining ways in which to re-structure its pension fund.

Air traffic levels during 2008 were as follows;

• Terminal commercial traffic (i.e. commercial aircraft landing or departing the three State airports) rose by less than 1 per cent over 2007 figures to 269,684 movements.
• En route traffic rose marginally (less than 1 per cent) to 309,181 movements.  (The majority of these are aircraft which overfly Irish-controlled airspace en route between Europe and North America and do not touch down at Irish airports.)
• North Atlantic airspace communications traffic rose by 1.8 per cent to 422,086 flights. (The IAA radio station at Ballygirreen, Co. Clare provides the vital radio link between air traffic controllers and pilots on the Eastern half of the North Atlantic.)

The trend in 2009 so far shows a continuing and significant decrease in traffic levels. The first four months, when compared to the same period in 2008, show the following;

• Dublin Airport (commercial) movements are down 12 per cent
• En route (overflights) traffic is down 7 per cent
• North Atlantic Communications traffic is down 7 per cent

Notwithstanding the difficult economic environment, the Irish aircraft register continued to grow with a total of 1,179 aircraft on the Irish register at 5 May 2009, up from 1,168 in December 2008. Heavy commercial aircraft currently stand at 470 while the number of Irish aircraft on overseas ‘dry leases’ or in storage is 219, up nine on the previous year. Helicopter numbers have shown a decrease in recent years with 144 registered at the end of April 2009 compared with 162 in early 2008. Currently, the main carriers are Ryanair (187 aircraft), Aer Lingus (47 aircraft), CityJet (27 aircraft), Aer Arann (10 aircraft) and Air Contractors (16 aircraft). The IAA provides safety standards surveillance on all Irish air carriers, personnel, maintenance organisations and aircraft.

Speaking at its Annual General Meeting today, IAA chairman Mr. Jerry Liston expressed his satisfaction by saying; “I am very pleased to report that while 2008 was a very difficult year for the aviation industry, the IAA maintained a satisfactory performance, both as a safety regulator and as a provider of air navigation services.” 

Commenting on the results, IAA chief executive Mr. Eamonn Brennan said; “Today the aviation industry experiences the most challenging and difficult economic conditions in the history of civil aviation. More airline failures have occurred in 2008 than in the aftermath of the various industry shocks of the period 2001 – 2003. The IAA has initiated a package of cost-containment measures aimed at making a direct contribution towards the financial recovery of the industry. These measures however do not propose any cutbacks in either capital or operating expenditure that might have a negative impact on future safety or capacity."

View Annual Report 2008

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