Air traffic returned to 1980s' levels last year – IAA

The IAA’s air traffic control division managed fewer than 500,000 flights in 2020, over 670,000 less than in 2019

Figures show that Ireland has seen a larger-than-average decline in air traffic numbers compared to the wider European network. Picture: Brian Lawless

Last year saw the lowest level of flights in Irish airspace since the late 1980s, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed on Friday.

Despite a positive start to the year with strong January and February results, the IAA said the remainder of the year was “devastating” for Irish aviation due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.