2 December 2025
The Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, has welcomed AirNav Ireland’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive training programme for student air traffic controllers at its Ballycasey Training Centre in Shannon, Co. Clare.AirNav Ireland plans to train up to 64 student air traffic controllers in 2026 as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen Ireland’s air traffic management capability.
Minister O’Brien said “AirNav Ireland plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and resilience of our national aviation connectivity. I was deeply impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the team here in Shannon who are committed to ensuring excellence in aviation safety. I welcome AirNav’s long term commitment to invest in the best people to manage our airspace into the future, reinforcing AirNav’s position as a leader in aviation safety and air traffic management.”
Upon successful completion of the 18-month programme, graduates will be offered positions as air traffic controllers with AirNav Ireland. These new recruits will be based at Ireland’s three State airports—Cork, Dublin and Shannon—as well as the company’s main operations centre in Clare. They will join a highly skilled team responsible for the safe and efficient management of aircraft landing, departing, and transiting through Irish-controlled airspace.
Gerard Caffrey, Chief Executive of AirNav Ireland, said the 2026 training plan underscores the organisation’s commitment to developing talent and maintaining world-class safety standards:
“AirNav Ireland is dedicated to continually enhancing its air traffic control team to ensure the highest levels of safety and efficiency for all airline customers operating in Irish airspace. The selected candidates will undertake an intensive programme combining theoretical instruction with practical experience.”
AirNav Ireland’s Enroute Operations Centre - also located in Ballycasey - manages over 90% of all aircraft operating between North America and Europe, equating to approximately 1,500 flights every 24 hours during peak summer months.
So far in 2025, AirNav Ireland has overseen the safe management of more than 1,100,000 flights in Irish-controlled airspace, including departures and arrivals at State airports and transatlantic overflights between Europe and North America, serving 160 million passengers every year.