Airspace routes like motorways in the sky

AIRSPACE is the portion of atmosphere controlled by Ireland in addition to its territory and waters.

Irish airspace is divided into controlled and uncontrolled airspace and extends about 30 miles west of the country.

The majority of Irish airspace is controlled by air traffic control (ATC). While operating in controlled airspace, aircraft fly along predetermined routes.

The two primary ATC operations provided by the Irish Aviation Authority are Terminal and En Route. Terminal Services are provided at Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports and the term refers to aircraft landing and taking off at those airports.

Dublin is ranked the 10th busiest European airport.

The vertical limit of Dublin’s airspace is approximately 24,000ft. Dublin controllers control the Dublin/London route,

En Route services refer to the ATC service provided to aircraft outside the immediate vicinity of airports. The most significant en route services relate to our position as the gateway between Europe and North.

Air traffic controllers in Shannon control up to 90% of all aircraft transiting between Europe and North America, even those that do not land at our airports.

Over Europe aircraft fly along pre-determined routes. These operate like motorways in the sky.

The North Atlantic system however is very different. While aircraft fly along pre-determined routes, the position of those routes change on a daily basis.