Picture: Courtesy of Adam Ryan 

Irish Aviation Authority announced the total flights in Irish airspace in February 2013 decreased by -5.3%, when compared to February 2012. There was an average of 1,227 daily flights during February 2013, with the busiest day being 22nd February with 1,369 flights in Irish airspace. The February 2012 figure was a leap year making direct comparisons with February 2013 slightly distorted.

There was a decrease of -6.9% in Ireland’s en route traffic movements (flights that pass through Irish airspace but do not land) during February 2013, in comparison to February 2012. Similarly, North Atlantic Communications flights (Europe /North America flights) saw a decrease of -7.2% in February 2013, when compared to February 2012.

The February 2013 figures for the three State airports, when compared to the same month in the previous year are:

Cork Airport: -2.1% with an average of 49 commercial daily movements.

Dublin Airport:  -1.6%, with an average of 382 commercial daily movements.

Shannon Airport: -17%, with an average of 44 commercial daily movements.

According to the latest air traffic forecast published by Eurocontrol while 2013 is forecast to be a challenging year for Irish air traffic figures, the outlook for the seven year period is for an average of 2.5% growth per year up to 2019 as the economic growth is expected to return.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 13th March 2013 All Rights Reserved.