Safety - Ireland

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PRB monitoring

  • In 2025, AirNav Ireland achieved the planned maturity levels set out in its performance plan for all five components of the EoSM.

  • The rate of runway incursions (RI) was 0.29 and equal to the RIs with ANS contribution, with both indicators below the Union-wide average. The rate of RIs has decreased significantly compared to 2024 at both indicators.

  • The rate of separation minima infringements (SMIs) at State level was 1.43, and at ANSP level 1.15. Both indicators were below the Union-wide average. The rate of SMIs has decreased compared to 2024 at both indicators.

Effectiveness of Safety Management (EoSM) (KPI#1)

In 2025, AirNav Ireland achieved the planned maturity levels set out in its performance plan for all five components of the EoSM.

As described in the monitoring report, the competent authority conducted a review and verification of the ANSP 2025 EoSM questionnaire, based on the outcomes of the 2025 oversight cycle and the review of 2025 safety performance. Furthermore, the verification process resulted in the evidence supporting a number of verification points not being accepted as demonstrating the resilient level and therefore the safety assurance and safety culture components were downgraded one level to managed. However all targets were achieved.

Safety occurrences

Rate of runway incursions (RIs) (PI#1) and Rate of runway incursion with ANS contribution (PI#3)

Rate of RIs per 100,000 airport movements - Ireland
# Airport name APT movements Number of RI Rate RI per 100,000 Number of RI with ANS contribution Rate RI per 100,000 with ANS contribution
1 Dublin 268,494 0 0.00 0 0.00
2 Cork 44,405 0 0.00 0 0.00
3 Shannon 28,620 1 3.49 1 3.49

Ireland reported 1 runway incursion (RI) at Shannon airport during 2025. When comparing the RIs at airport level to Union-wide level, Ireland was below the Union-wide average (0.29 vs 2.70).

Ireland reported 1 RI with ANS contribution in 2025. When comparing airport level with ANS contribution to the Union-wide level, Ireland was below the Union-wide average (0.29 vs 0.87).

The rate of runway incursions has decreased significantly compared to 2024 at both airport level (0.29 vs 5.16) and at ANS contribution-level (0.29 vs 2.35).

As described in the monitoring report, AirNav Ireland acknowledges that preventing runway incursions requires vigilance, technological advancements, and industry-wide collaboration to ensure runway safety. The organisation focuses on enhancing cooperation among airports, air traffic management, and airlines to reduce the risk of incursions. This approach includes continuous engagement and representation at both Local Runway Safety Teams and the IAA National Runway Safety Team, supporting the Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions, and addressing any gaps in current safety measures. Additionally, AirNav Ireland has received Board approval for the installation of advanced surface movement and guidance systems at Cork and Shannon Airports. AirNav Ireland has developed and implemented leading and lagging indicators to monitor the effectiveness of safety measures to prevent runway incursions. These indicators are reviewed at the Safety Review Board and through Safety Action Group. Runway incursions are documented on the enterprise risk register and monitored for safety assurance.

The NSA notes in the monitoring report that the NSA/NCA have for several years, including 2025, used the Event Risk Classification (ERC) of the ARMS Methodology for conducting its risk classification of mandatory occurrences reported by organisations. The ARMS (ERC) methodology is a similar assessment to ERCS, albeit a more simplified version. Of most significance, the ARMS risk scores are directly translatable to the common European risk classification scheme (ERCS) and therefore the data is verifiable. The State provides its data for safety performance indicators during 2024 based on ARMS (ERC) classifications. The NSA/NCA monitors a selection of appropriate Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs), including RI & SMI. For the defined SPIs, there are associated safety targets and alert thresholds in order to provide quantifiable measures for the maintenance and/or improvement of the level of safety for the air navigation services domain in Ireland. This methodology is developed to identify an Acceptable level of safety performance (AloSP) and is aligned with ICAO Doc 9859.

Furthermore, based on the NSA/NCA monitoring of RIs in 2025, via the above-described methodology, the rate of RIs was below the target set for 2025.

Rate of separation minima infringements (SMIs) (PI#2) and Rate of separation minima infringements with ANS contribution (PI#4)

Rate of SMI with ANS contribution per 100,000 flight hours
# ANSP
Flight hours
Number of SMIs with ANS contribution
Rate of SMI with ANS contribution per 100,000 flight hours
% variation in rate of SMIs
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
1 AirNav Ireland 348,569 NA NA NA NA 4 NA NA NA NA 1.1 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

At State level, Ireland reported 5 separation minima infringements (SMI) in their airspace
during 2025. The rate of separation minima infringements was below the Union-wide average (1.43 vs 7.87). At ANSP level, Ireland reported 4 SMIs with ANS contribution. The rate of separation minima infringements at ANSP level was below the Union-wide average (1.15 vs 6.02).

When comparing to 2024, the rate of separation minima infringements has decreased at both State level (1.43 vs 2.6) and at ANSP level (1.15 vs 2.33).

As described in the monitoring report, AirNav Ireland has integrated tools such as Final Approach Spacing, Tactical Control Tool, and Blindspot Detection. International collaboration among aviation stakeholders is important to harmonize standards and ensure consistent application of procedures across borders. AirNav Ireland supports EASA CAT CAG, D4S, and CANSO SAFOPS and Safety Teams. By focusing on preventive measures and promoting a culture of safety, AirNav Ireland aims to reduce risks and uphold the high standards needed for safe and efficient airspace operations. AirNav Ireland has developed and implemented leading and lagging indicators to monitor the effectiveness of safety measures to prevent SMI. These indicators are reviewed at the Safety Review Board and through Safety Action Group. SMIs are documented on the enterprise risk register and monitored for safety assurance.