Media

7 June 2012: Following the recent agreement between the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and the UK CAA which gives greater freedoms to recreational pilots operating between Ireland and the UK, it is anticipated there will be an increase in the number of pilots visiting Ireland. The IAA extends a Céad Míle Fáilte (one hundred thousand welcomes) to those pilots visiting Ireland. Depending on your aircraft type and your pilot's licence however, you may require additional permissions to fly in Ireland. The leaflet 'Thinking of visiting Ireland with your aircraft' gives some guidance to ensure the safe and legal operation of foreign registered aircraft in Irish airspace

The new agreement came into being on 27 April 2012. The agreement, reached between the Irish Aviation Authority and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), enables pilots of Irish registered aircraft to visit the UK for up to 28 days under a general exemption. Reciprocal arrangements are also in place for pilots of UK registered aircraft visiting Ireland.   

Access is subject to compliance with a small number of conditions, such as the aircraft being registered and having a valid Permit to Fly. Some non-ICAO compliant aircraft, such as gyroplanes, remain excluded from the agreement. Aircraft that do not qualify will continue to need to apply for an individual exemption, as will aircraft seeking to stay beyond 28 days.

Welcoming this initiative, Mr Paul McMahon, Chairman National Microlight Association of Ireland, said "This agreement displays the vision and foresight of the IAA Airworthiness Department in facilitating and encouraging visits to Ireland of foreign registered flight permit aircraft and in particular those from the North of Ireland and the UK."

Mr Noel Maher, Chairman Irish Light Aviation Society, said; "This reciprocal arrangement designed to facilitate free movement of permit aircraft between Ireland and the UK (subject to conditions), follows lengthy consultation between the two aviation authorities and the respective stakeholders. It represents a very significant development in the area of aviation tourism and in addition it will eliminate anomalies that have existed for permit aircraft operating North and South on the island of Ireland."

ENDS

For further information contact

Lilian Cassin, Corporate Communications Manager, IAA

087 647 4079 / lilian.cassin@iaa.ie