IAA: 2016 to be 'record year for Irish aviation'

Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed (12-Dec-2016) 2016 will be a record year for Irish aviation, with a forecast to handle over 1.1 million flights in Irish controlled airspace. IAA reported 1,026,000 flights handled as of end Nov-2016, an 8.6% increase year-on-year. IAA reported:

• 8% increase y-o-y in overflight traffic movements to 315,698;
• 8% increase y-o-y in North Atlantic communications flights to 440,761 (flights between Europe/US);
• 5% increase y-o-y in terminal movements to 269,431 (flights at Cork International Airport, Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport).

IAA CEO Eamonn Brennan said: "Air traffic has expanded by nearly 9% this year, driven by very strong lifts at both Dublin Airport and through Irish airspace on flights between Europe and North America. What's encouraging about 2016 is the fact that the growth is across all fields and not limited to one area. Cork and Shannon have both recorded gains in 2016, up 12% and 2.4% respectively." [more - original PR]