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  1. Environment
  • Year report
    • RP3
    • 2024 ✓
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  • Ireland
  • Overview
    • Contextual information
    • Traffic
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    • Cost-efficiency

  • Safety
    • PRB monitoring
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      • Runway incursions
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    • ASDRS

  • Environment
    • PRB monitoring
    • En route performance
      • Horizontal flight efficiency
    • Terminal performance
      • AXOT & ASMA
      • CDO
    • CIV-MIL

  • Capacity
    • PRB monitoring
    • En route performance
      • En route ATFM delay
      • Other indicators
    • Terminal performance
      • Arrival ATFM delay
      • Other performance indicators

  • Cost-efficiency
    • PRB monitoring
    • En route CZ
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      • Unit cost
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      • Regulatory Result

Environment - Ireland

Download Report

PRB monitoring

▪ Ireland achieved a KEA performance of 1.40% compared to its target of 1.13% and did not contribute positively towards achieving the Union-wide target.

▪ The NSA states that the target was not achieved mainly due to changes made by neighbouring ANSPs affecting trajectories, adverse weather, French industrial action and the increase in the proportion of flights on the “Tango” routes.

▪ KEP and SCR improved marginally in comparison with 2023. Despite the target being missed, KEA improved in 2024. Additionally, the improvement in SCR shows that Ireland has enhanced the environmental efficiency of its airspace when accounting for impacts outside of its control.

▪ The share of CDO flights increased from 40.84% to 42.51% in 2024.

▪ Additional taxi out time decreased from 4.00 to 3.32 min/flight, while additional time in terminal airspace decreased from 1.79 to 1.57 min/flight in 2024 compared to 2023.

En route performance

Horizontal flight efficiency of the actual trajectory (KEA) (KPI#1), of the last filed flight plan (KEP) (PI#1) & shortest constrained route (SCR) (PI#2)

Terminal performance

Additional taxi-out time (AXOT) (PI#3) & Arrival Sequencing and Metering Area (ASMA) time (PI#4)

Focus on ASMA & AXOT

AXOT

Additional taxi-out times at Dublin decreased by 18% in 2024 (EIDW; 2019: 7.1 min/dep.; 2020: 2.67 min/dep.; 2021: 1.43 min/dep.; 2022: 5.27 min/dep.; 2023: 4.43 min/dep.; 2024: 3.65 min/dep.) and remained lower than in 2019, even with slightly higher traffic. However, it is still the fifth highest additional taxi-out value observed in 2024 amongst the SES monitored airports.

According to the Irish monitoring report: This PI continues to improve, despite increased traffic volumes.

Dublin’s new runway 28R/10L with associated taxiway structure became operational in August 2022, and fully operational from mid-2023, it continues to show benefits. Dublin continues to develop it’s a-CDM procedures which could enable improvements. In addition AirNav is currently involved in a project to enhance the FMP.

ASMA

Additional ASMA times at Dublin decreased by 12% in 2024 (EIDW; 2019: 3.29 min/arr.; 2020: 1.24 min/arr. 2021: 0.58 min/arr.; 2022: 2.02 min/arr.; 2023: 1.91 min/arr.; 2024: 1.68 min/arr.). This performance, although better than in 2019, resulted in the 7th highest additional ASMA value observed in 2024 in the SES monitored airports and well above the SES average of 1.28 min/arr.

According to the Irish monitoring report: This PI also continues to show an improving trend. Dublin Airspace review remains ongoing. AirNav Ireland and IAA meet regularly to discuss performance.

Share of arrivals applying continuous descent operations (CDOs) (PI#5)

Focus CDOs

The share of CDO flights increased at Dublin (EIDW) by 2.0 percentage points to 39.9%, at Cork (EICK) by 1.5 percentage points to 51.7% and at Shannon (EINN) by 0.4 percentage points to 51.1%. Nevertheless, the share of CDO flights at all airports is well above the overall RP3 value in 2024 (29.3%). The monthly values are generally lower during the summer months, especially for Dublin and Cork.

According to the Irish monitoring report:* Low level airspace review to incorporate EICK (Cork) and EINN (Shannon) is due to be completed in Q1 2026. Dublin Airspace review is due to be completed in Q1 2026 (CDO for Dublin operations is restricted by neighbouring airspace structures).

An arrivals trial for Cork and Shannon airport was carried out in 2024 in association with a number of airport users. The purpose of the trial was to assess ATC procedures and to also inform future arrival procedures for the low level airspace review*.

Airport level
Airport
Additional taxi-out time (PI#3)
Additional ASMA time (PI#4)
Share of arrivals applying CDO (PI#5)
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Cork 0.73 0.85 0.66 0.98 1.18 0.37 0.26 0.17 0.40 0.41 52% 41% 51% 50% 52%
Dublin 2.67 1.43 5.27 4.43 3.65 1.24 0.58 2.02 1.91 1.68 46% 50% 37% 38% 40%
Shannon NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 42% 46% 47% 51% 51%

Civil-Military dimension

Focus on Civil-Military dimension

Update on Military dimension of the plan

All military airspace is flight plannable and direct routes are given through activated military airspace as routine. The implementation of Point Merge at Dublin Airport was effected in a manner to ensure there was no impact on capacity at Dublin resulting from the military activity. Likewise the FRA project in 2009 also required no filing differences for military activity.

Military - related measures implemented or planned to improve capacity

The NSA meets regularly with the Military through the Standing Civil Military Air Navigation Committee (StaCMAN)to discuss FUA implementation and any associated issues. Full ASM management is reliant upon the rollout of LARA. Full activations are available from NM.

Initiatives implemented or planned to improve PI#6

All military airspace is flight plannable and direct routes are given through activated military airspace as routine. The implementation of Point Merge at Dublin Airport was effected in a manner to ensure there was no impact on Environment at Dublin airport resulting from the military activity. Likewise the FRA project in 2009 also required no filing differences for military activity.

In addition the Military airspace even though proximate to Dublin Airport has no impact on the capacity of Dublin airport and this was confirmed in 2008 when differential flow rates were no longer required for military airspace activity. Full ASM management is reliant upon the rollout of LARA. Ireland reports c.75% complete pending full LARA application. A full record of the hours of activation will be available through LARA and will be sent to NM.

Initiatives implemented or planned to improve PI#7

All military airspace is flight plannable and direct routes are given through activated military airspace as routine. The implementation of FRA in 2009 required no filing differences for military activity. A full record is available via NM.

Initiatives implemented or planned to improve PI#8

All military airspace is flight plannable and direct routes are given through activated military airspace as routine. The implementation of Point Merge at Dublin Airport was effected in a manner to ensure there was no impact on Environment at Dublin airport resulting from the military activity. Likewise the FRA project in 2009 also required no filing differences for military activity. In addition the Military airspace even though proximate to Dublin Airport has no impact on the capacity of Dublin airport and this was confirmed in 2008 when differential flow rates were no longer required for military airspace activity. Full ASM management is reliant upon the rollout of LARA. The NSA meeting regularly with the ANSP and the Military through the FUA bodies established within the State. Any issues related to the use of this type of airspace are discussed and mitigations agreed.

 
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