Operational Performance 

Irish air traffic recovered significantly in 2022, particularly from April onwards, surpassing the European network monthly averages in both overflying transatlantic traffic and traffic at the State airports of Dublin, Shannon and Cork. 

Monthly traffic levels returned to near 2019 levels in the second half of 2022 and reached 96% in December. En-route overflights recorded an increase of 71% compared to 2021 to reach almost 322,000 flights. Almost 90% of all transatlantic flights between Europe and North America pass through Irish-controlled airspace and are managed from our en-route operations centre in Shannon, Co. Clare.

In North Atlantic oceanic airspace, AirNav provided high frequency (HF) voice communications services to 457,300 flights, an increase of 74% on 2021 levels. Our North Atlantic Communications Service is provided from our facility in Ballygirreen, Co. Clare.

Commercial terminal traffic at our State airports in Dublin, Cork and Shannon more than doubled in 2022 to reach 237,500 movements, but remained 12.8% below pre-pandemic levels. 

Sustainability 

Throughout 2022, AirNav continued to implement our Sustainability Management Plan (2020 - 2025) and is on track to be net carbon neutral by 2025. We also implemented the Governments 'Reduce Your Use' Campaign and are committed to achieving the 15% building energy saving mandated by Government.

By the end of 2022, AirNav achieved a 51% energy efficiency gain, a continued improvement year on year and well ahead of SEAI targets of 33%.

We met our European Commission Single European Sky environmental and capacity goals and contributed positively to the overall performance of the European Network.

Irish Free Route Airspace is regarded as one of the most environmentally efficient in the world, as it allows our airline customers customers to select the most efficient routes through our airspace. In terms of environmental performance, as measured by the EUROCONTROL horizontal en-route flight efficiency indicator, AirNav ended 2022 as the number one performing air navigation service provider (ANSP) in Europe. We are continually striving to further reduce our environmental impact through a range of projects, including increased rates of CDO/CCO (Continuous Descent and Continuous Climb Operations) and the re-design of lower airspace. We also participate in a range of environmental improvement initiatives with our stakeholders.

Capacity

AirNav remains as one of the best performing ANSPs in Europe with almost no en-route ATFM (air traffic flow management) delay and extremely low levels of terminal ATFM-related delay recorded in 2022. 

Capacity performance targets for 2022 were achieved. We also recorded a departure slot adherence rate of over 96% at the three State airports, far exceeding the European target of 80%.

Safety 

Since 2002, EUROCONTROL has conducted surveys to establish ANSP compliance with regulatory compliance as well as the level of implementation of safety management systems (SMS) within their organisations. The EUROCONTROL/CANSO SMS Standard of Excellence (SoE) safety maturity measurements contribute to establishing a global level for safety, based on the highest standards. The SoE covers 17 safety assessment areas.

In the latest EUROCONTROL/CANSO SoE, AirNav achieved a score of 87% (the highest being 91%), with 7 Level C (managed) and 14 Level D (resilient), meaning our SMS meets all regulatory requirements. Additionally, we obtained 1 Level E (excellence) for our Real Time Safety Intelligence, validated by the CANSO best practice moderation review group.

The safety key performance indicator (KPI) measured as part of the Single European Sky (SES) performance scheme is EASA's (The European Aviation Safety Agency) Effectiveness of Safety Management (EoSM). This safety KPI is assessed and validated annually by the IAA safety regulator. In the latest report published in 2022, AirNav achieved an EoSM maturity score of 91% and an overall maturity level 'C'. AirNav achieved the EoSM targets in four out of five management objectives but missed its target for safety risk management due to issues with how it recorded change. New compliant change management procedures were accepted by the Competent Authority and published in February 2022, so it is expected that the level 'D' target for safety risk management will be achieved in advance of the 2024 target date.

Customer Care 

AirNav continues to be recognised by the airline industry as one of the most customer-focuseed ANSPs in the world. Our customers are predominantly airlines based in Europe, North America and the Middle East and include legacy passenger airlines, low-cast carriers, regional airlines and caro carriers.

At the end of 2022, we engaged an independent Brussels-based consultancy to conduct an online survey of our customers' views on AirNav Ireland and the services we provide. Preliminary results of the survey indicate that, for those customers who have responded, AirNav was rewarded an overall satisfaction rating of 89% and the underlying messages about safety, service delivery, our environmental performance and customer communications have been very positive.