Irish Aviation Authority flying high on 2003 results

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) today announced a €6m profit in 2003, reflecting a growth in international traffic levels and the economic recovery in the aviation industry.

The IAA is the semi-state body that regulates Irish aviation safety standards and provides air traffic control services in Irish airspace. The body's revenue comes from charging aircraft that pass through Irish airspace.

IAA turnover in 2003 increased by 15.5% to €110.6 million, up from €95.8m in 2002, with over 80% of revenue from aircraft that did not land in Ireland, but used Irish airspace en route to other destinations.

Profit before tax was up at €5.96m in 2003 compared to €4.78m for the previous year and overall air traffic volumes utilising Irish airspace increased by 9.7%.

IAA Chairman Donal Geaney said: "Following two challenging years for the industry, I am pleased to report that the Authority recorded an improved financial performance reflecting a growth in international traffic levels during 2003.

"This was evidenced in each of the Authority's main areas of operation."

Last year, the IAA started operations from its new Air Traffic Management system installed at Shannon and Dublin Airports.

Speaking at the IAA AGM, Chief Executive Eamonn Brennan said: "The €115m investment in the new national Air Traffic Management system will help the Authority to significantly increase future productivity.

"The new system will position the IAA to handle traffic increases which are likely to arise in the future."

Last August, a major agreement on North Atlantic airspace was concluded between the Irish and UK departments of transport. Building on that agreement, the IAA entered into a significant co-operation pact with its counterpart, the UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS).

From January 2005, the IAA will provide air traffic control services in a new 95,000-square-kilometre block of airspace - NOTA (Northern Oceanic Transition Area) - off the north-west coast of Ireland.

Control of NOTA extends the IAA's responsibilities to a total airspace block of some 450,000 square kilometres, the gateway for over 90% of air traffic between Europe and North America.