The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has reported that a total of 18,290 flights were handled by its air traffic controllers during May of 2020. This figure is 83% less than the figure that was recorded for the same month last year, and follows an 85% decrease in air traffic in April.
Dublin, Cork And Shannon Airports
According to the IAA, Dublin Airport reported that it handled 2,319 flights in May, which was an 89.4% decrease from the figure for May of 2019; Cork Airport traffic saw a 95.3% drop in flight numbers to 260; and Shannon Airport reported that it handled 325 flights, which was an 86.9% decrease in movements from the same month last year.
Overflight Traffic And North Atlantic Communications Flights
Additionally, the IAA reported that Ireland's overflight traffic movements (flights that do not land in Ireland) decreased 80% to 6,771 in May of 2020 from 33,309 in May 2019, and North Atlantic communications flights (Europe/US) decreased 81% in May of this year to 8,615 from 45,958 in May of last year.
Chief Executive Statement
In a statement on the IAA's website, the organisation's chief executive Peter Kearney said, "As an exporting nation, the Irish economy depends on aviation for growth and development, more so than many other European countries. It is important that we start to reopen aviation as soon as possible. This will protect jobs, save aviation businesses and help kick-start our economy."
© 2020 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
