Latest news with #IrishAviationAuthority
Irish Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on proliferating drones: don't look up
This week the Dáil was warned of a dystopian future of Irish skies filled with commercial drones. People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger played footage of drones hovering noisily over Blanchardstown rooftops, while Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon called for a temporary restriction zone over Glasnevin. Despite the hyperbole, concerns over noise, privacy and safety are valid. At the heart of the growing unease is a company now operating high-frequency drone food deliveries in west Dublin, and reportedly planning to expand to the northern and southern suburbs before rolling out nationwide. With weekly flight volumes already in the thousands, the shift from pilot project to daily reality is well underway. Ireland finds itself at the leading edge of drone delivery in Europe, praised by operators for a regulatory environment that fosters innovation. Drones are being used not just for burgers and burritos, but for medicines and time-sensitive consumer goods. Yet what industry advocates view as forward-thinking policy, critics see as dangerously lax. They argue that existing laws are outpaced by the speed of technological development and ill-equipped to manage the risks. This is acknowledged in the Programme for Government, which commits to integrating drone oversight into the air navigation division of the Irish Aviation Authority. The Taoiseach has conceded new regulations are needed to deal with drones 'flying left, right, centre', suggesting an Oireachtas committee should investigate the matter further. READ MORE While the Government reflects, the drone economy is scaling up fast. Communities in Tallaght, Glasnevin and beyond will soon hear the distinctive buzz overhead if planning applications are successful. The concerns which have been expressed over noise and privacy are legitimate. But others border on the moralistic. The question is not whether drone deliveries will be part of modern life – they already are – but how they are regulated to ensure that innovation serves the public good, rather than intrudes upon it.
Irish Examiner
12-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Taxpayer stumps up €444,000 claims against travel agent
The taxpayer is on the hook for claims totalling €444,412 from customers of the collapsed travel agency Platinum Travel. The Dublin-based travel agency went out of business on December 19 last and the annual report from the Irish Aviation Authority's Travellers' Protection Fund, Travel Agents' and Tour Operators Bond shows that the Platinum Travel Ltd bond covered only €47,143 of claims made in 2024. The total amount of claims from Clontarf-registered Platinum Travel Ltd's customers of flights and package tours totalled €478,112, offset by €13,443 in claims - refund credit notes, resulting in the €444,412 in outstanding claims being met by a Dept of Transport fund. A note states that there were insufficient funds within the bond to meet all liabilities without recourse to the Dept of Transport fund. The annual report explains that the Traveller Protection Fund's cash levels were insufficient to compensate all claimants for the 2020 to 2024 collapses, and an application was made to the Department of Transport to top up the fund. Between 2020 and 2023, €2.75m was transferred into the Traveller Protection Fund by the Department of Transport and a further €450,000 was requested from the Department on December 19, 2024 following the collapse of Platinum Travel Ltd. The €450,000 contribution by the Dept of Transport in 2024 was triple the €150,000 contribution made in 2023. A note states that a claim to recover the amounts met by the Dept of Transport Funds has been lodged with the company's liquidator. The Dept of Transport funds were received on January 30th 2025 and the Irish Aviation Authority 'concludes that the receipt of these additional funds allows the fund to operate as a going concern'. The most recent accounts for Platinum Travel show that it was loss-making in 2023 where it recorded a loss of €14,271. At the end of 2023, the company had accumulated losses of €68,799. Its shareholder funds totalled €76,201. The company's cash funds at the end of December 2023 amounted to only €2,990. The Irish Aviation Authority's Travellers' Protection Fund, Travel Agents' and Tour Operators Bond report states that the requirement for a bond may also be satisfied by a cash sum deposited with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and at December 31st last monies deposited in cash for such a purpose amounted to €24.76m compared to €41.62m at the end of December 2023. Ends
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Disruptive air passengers warned of zero tolerance as almost 500,000 to pass through Dublin Airport this weekend
It comes as there has been a continued rise in industry reports of unruly behaviour to the Irish Aviation Authority, although the majority of passengers travel responsibly. This trend has seen year-on-year increases as airlines have encouraged crews to increase the reporting of unruly behaviour. More than 30 incidents have already been reported to Dublin Airport Garda station so far this year, which represents an almost 80pc increase compared to the entirety of 2024. The three most common incidents this year have been offensive behaviour onboard aircraft, obstructing or assaulting an authorised officer and being intoxicated onboard an aircraft. Last year also saw a 50pc increase in incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour reported to gardaí at Dublin Airport, compared to 2023. The aviation industry has renewed its shared commitment to tackle disruptive passenger behaviour through the ongoing #NotOnMyFlight campaign. The initiative, which was launched last year, is receiving growing support from aviation and public sector partners. It aims to ensure passengers are aware of the serious consequences of unruly behaviour, as well as supporting airport and airline staff through training and policy, or facilitating enforcement, like bans and prosecutions, where necessary. Since last year, the campaign has expanded to include Ireland's largest aviation union, Fórsa, and the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA), both of whom have formally signed the industry's joint declaration on unruly passenger behaviour. Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority, said: 'The #NotOnMyFlight campaign continues to reflect our strong commitment to supporting frontline airport staff, flight and cabin crew, and to safeguarding passengers by making it clear that unruly passenger behaviour will not be tolerated. "As we head into one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, we're reminding all passengers travelling through Irish airports that respectful behaviour is not just expected - it's essential to ensuring a safe and positive flying experience for everyone,' he added. Paul Cleary, Assistant Commissioner in the Dublin Metropolitan Region of An Garda Síochána, said there is 'no excuse for anti-social or disruptive behaviour'. 'Incidents of unruly conduct in airports and on planes can have serious consequences for both passengers and staff. It can be a frightening experience that endangers passengers and crew, while it can also mean delayed flights and missed connections,' he said. 'Over the past year, we have been working with our aviation partners under a joint declaration to address disruptive and dangerous behaviour, and we remain very committed to that. "While the majority of people travel respectfully, An Garda Síochána is prepared to act where necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment for all who travel through our airports,' he added. Fórsa's National Secretary, Katie Morgan, said that 'our members in airlines and airports are often the first responders to unruly passenger behaviour'. "As a trade union, the potential risk of unruly passenger behaviour to the health and safety of our members is a crucial matter of concern,' she said. 'We've seen first-hand the effect that some unruly passenger behaviour has had on our members. "Aviation workers have a right to a safe working environment and to be treated with dignity and respect. "They prioritise the travelling public's safety, and this campaign helps prioritise their safety,' she added. It comes as almost half a million passengers are expected to pass through Dublin Airport this June bank holiday weekend. The airport is expecting more than 115,000 passengers every day between Friday and Monday, with a total of 480,000 set to pass through both terminals. This four-day period will see close to 250,000 passengers departing from Dublin Airport, with around 230,000 passengers arriving, including thousands of tourists from across the world. The busiest day over the weekend will be tomorrow, Friday, May 30, when almost 124,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport. Therefore, passengers are advised to arrive at their terminal two hours in advance of a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight. Dublin Airport spokesperson, Graeme McQueen, said this June bank holiday is set to break some records. "The peak tourism season is here and demand to travel this summer is really high, with this set to be the busiest June bank holiday ever at Dublin Airport,' he said. 'Indeed, the numbers travelling this weekend - and over the summer - would be even higher if it weren't for the passenger cap on Dublin Airport which continues to put off airlines from bringing new and additional routes to Ireland, denying the Irish hospitality sector of important tourism revenue,' he added.
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Marked increase in disruptive behaviour at Dublin Airport
There has been an 80% increase in incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour reported at Dublin Airport so far this year compared to the entire number of incidents recorded in 2024, according to figures from the Irish Aviation Authority. As the airport prepares for its busiest weekend ever, the aviation industry has launched a campaign to address disruptive behaviour. In the first five months of this year Dublin Airport garda station has dealt with more than 30 incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour. That figure is up 80% on the total number of incidents recorded in 2024 and those figures were also up 50% on 2023. Offensive behaviour, obstruction or assaults on an authorised officer and people intoxicated onboard aircraft have been the most common issues this year. With more than half a million passengers due to travel through Dublin Airport this weekend, the airline industry has come together to promote an awareness campaign called #Notonmyflight. Garda Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region Paul Cleary warned these incidents endanger passengers and crew and can also result in delayed flights and missed connections. "There is no excuse for anti-social or disruptive behaviour. "Over the past year we have been working with our aviation partners under a joint declaration to address disruptive and dangerous behaviour, and we remain very committed to that. "While the majority of people travel respectfully, An Garda Síochána is prepared to act where necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment for all who travel through our airports." Trade union Fórsa's national secretary, Katie Morgan, said unruly passenger behaviour is a crucial health and safety concern for its members. "We've seen first-hand the effect that some unruly passenger behaviour has had on our members. "Aviation workers have a right to a safe working environment and to be treated with dignity and respect.
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Irish Aviation Authority's legal bill hits €1.6m after passenger cap battle at Dublin Airport
In its new annual report published yesterday, the Irish Aviation Authority reveals its rising legal bill, spurred by the High Court actions. Last December, the Irish Independent revealed that the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) was seeking to raise an additional €1.2m in fee revenue this year to cover the cost of litigation taken against it by Aer Lingus, Ryanair, the DAA and a group of US carriers regarding the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. The total charge it will levy for regulating take-off and landing slots will more than double from €700,000 to €1.9m, 'to cover the additional cost of litigation against the IAA', it told stakeholders at the end of last year. The IAA reported a profit after tax of €1.9m last year The IAA said that it generated revenue of €37.4m last year, compared to €90.7m in 2023. The sharp decline is due to the air navigation services previously provided by the IAA being hived off in 2023 to a new entity called AirNav Ireland. The IAA reported a profit after tax of €1.9m last year. The authority maintained oversight of 1,435 registered aircraft during 2024, including 516 in the Irish aircraft operators' certificate fleet and 612 general aviation aircraft, further cementing Ireland's status as a global aviation hub. Dublin Airport is the only so-called co-ordinated airport in Ireland, where take-off and landing slots are regulated by the IAA. The IAA planned to limit take-off and landing slots at Dublin Airport last winter and this summer in an effort to ensure Dublin Airport didn't breach a 32-million annual passenger cap. But Ryanair, Aer Lingus and a lobby group for US airlines challenged the decision by the IAA, arguing that it had no right to cap available slots to ensure Dublin Airport adheres to planning conditions. The DAA had also taken legal action against the IAA – but it argued that the proposed IAA limits were insufficient to prevent Dublin Airport from breaching the passenger cap. The High Court first put a stay on the IAA decision in relation to the proposed slot limits for this summer. The court later put a stay on the IAA decision in relation to slots for next winter. A number of matters have now been referred to the European Court of Justice for determination.
