Media

13 January 2009: Irish air traffic declined in all key areas in December 2008. This was particularly apparent on the North Atlantic (overflights and HF communications) where numbers were down for the fourth consecutive month; en route operations (overflights) were down 4.6% on December 2007 while HF communications were down 7.3% when compared to the same period last year.

This is extremely significant for the Irish Aviation Authority as, overflights and communications revenue account for almost 80% of turnover and relate to aircraft, the vast majority of which did not land in Ireland. Significant also is the fact that a large number of airlines have cut capacity in their normal winter schedules due to the global economic downturn and so the downward trend in traffic numbers is forecast to continue for the coming months. 

The downward trend was replicated in the air traffic numbers at the three State airports. Commercial air traffic movements were down on December 2007 as follows; Dublin 0%, Shannon – 9.4% and Cork -4.3%.

The overall performance for the year was patchy with the monthly trend in the latter half of the year showing traffic reductions in all key areas. The 2008 Air Traffic figures showed:

• North Atlantic Communications Service  was up by +1.8% on 2007
• Dublin Airport Commercial Movements increased by +2.9% on 2007
• Cork Airport Commercial Movements fell by -3.5% on 2007
• Shannon Airport Commercial Movements were down by -7.3% on 2007

Based on recent performance and the airline schedules for the early past of 2009, the Irish Aviation Authority is forecasting a 5-7%  drop in its traffic for the first quarter of 2009 with a consequential impact on its revenue. In the circumstances the Authority is committed to driving its cost base downwards to minimize such impact and to assist its customers during the current worldwide economic downturn. (see WEB REF COST CUTTING)

The traffic numbers can be seen in greater detail at Flight Statistics and End of Year Report.