IAA to trial air traffic control services for Northern Ireland

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is to provide air traffic control services in Northern Irish airspace on a trial basis.

The move is part of an initiative between Ireland and Britain under the the UK-Ireland Functional Airspace Block (FAB) – a joint air traffic agreement signed by Irish and British governments in 2008.

The agreement is aimed at managing the air traffic between and over both islands more efficiently so as to improve safety and reduces costs, particularly fuel burn.

The IAA will take command of airpsace over a portion of Northern Ireland and further north for three specific trial periods under the initial plan.

The development has been welcomed by Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar and the UK's aviation minister, Robert Goodwill.

Mr Varadkar said these “landmark trials ... demonstrate the maturity of the relationship between the Irish and UK administrations, and reflect very well on the services provided by the IAA”.

“It’s good news for airlines and their passengers, should further improve efficiencies, and make our airspace ever safer.”

“It also shows the close and effective working relationship between the Irish and UK aviation administrations. These trials will make a substantial contribution to the success of the EU Single European Sky project which is backed fully by the Irish and UK governments,” he added.

Mr Goodwill said: “The co-operation and innovation shown in this trial puts UK and Ireland at the cutting edge of air traffic control. It cements our efforts to deliver the safest, most efficient and cost effective way of managing our skies. The launch of the trial is a credit to the shared commitment of all those involved.”

The Irish Aviation Authority said the pilot programme was part of an effodrt to create a more efficient airspace across Ireland and Britain.

“It has important safety benefits, and reduces costs, particularly fuel burn,” the regulator said.