IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) - Ireland

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is a commercial semi-state company employing approximately 650 people at six locations around Ireland. The IAA has three main functions: the provision of air traffic management and related services in Irish controlled airspace, the safety regulation of the civil aviation industry in Ireland and the oversight of civil aviation security in Ireland.

The air traffic management functions include:

• Air traffic control
• ATC flight information
• Alerting and search and rescue services
• Aeronautical information
• North Atlantic Communications.

The safety regulatory functions includes:

• Certifying and registering aircraft airworthiness
• Licensing personnel and organisations involved in aircraft maintenance
• Licensing pilots, air traffic controllers and aerodromes
• Approving and monitoring air carrier operating standards.

The oversight of civil aviation security involves inspections and audits of airports, air carriers, cargo companies, airport suppliers and suppliers of in-flight services.

The IAA operates to the highest international safety standards set by:

• International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
• European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA)
• EUROCONTROL
• European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC)
• European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
• European Union (EU).

These guide the IAA in ensuring that Irish civil aviation operates to the most stringent safety standards. Safety is our business and underlines everything we do.

Following an intensive international audit by ICAO in 2010, Ireland was ranked among the best in the world in the safety oversight of civil aviation. Ireland was placed in the top ten countries worldwide ahead of countries like the United States, Brazil and Australia and ranked third of the twenty-two European states that had completed their audit at that time.

The IAA receives no State funding. Its revenues are generated through charges and fees raised from its airline customers and regulatory clients in respect of its operational and regulatory activities.

Collectively management and staff ensure the Authority is true to its mission statement:

‘The Board and staff of the Irish Aviation Authority are committed to providing efficient and cost-effective safety regulation of the Irish aviation industry and to providing, on a sound commercial basis, safe, efficient and cost-effective air navigation services, which meet the needs of our customers. The Authority aims to be a world leader in its field.'