A new report published by aviation investment group Irelandia details a new comprehensive strategy aimed at reinforcing Ireland's position within the global aviation market, with the report outlining a number of policy recommendations which will aim to better the country’s aviation capabilities, while driving economic growth.
Highlighted within the findings is the strategic potential for the country's aviation eco-system to create employment while enabling key parts of the Irish economy, including tourism, foreign direct investment and indigenous industry to expand for the benefit of Irish society.
Titled “A Pathfinder for Irish Aviation", the report details the need for an “all-island” approach to aviation, allowing benefits from both Northern Ireland’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities, in addition to Ireland’s booming airline, leasing and MRO sectors.
Ireland - where over 50 aircraft lessors which manage a fleet of aircraft valued at over $300bn - is also home of Europe’s largest airline, Ryanair.
Within the report it is highlighted how an “artificial” passenger cap at Dublin Airport should be removed. The plan calls for legislative amendments to facilitate growth and streamline planning processes, transferring noise regulation responsibilities to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) in line with ICAO standards.
“The cap on passenger volumes at Dublin Airport, despite completing a new runway in 2022, is a national embarrassment and a strong indicator that Ireland is closed for new business and adverse towards the aviation sector,” the report states. “We believe neither of these factors are true, but the signalling effect is extremely damaging. The 2025 Programme for government commits to resolving this issue, but actions to date are slow despite the agreement of the Coalition parties.”
Dublin Airport handled 33 million passengers during 2024, a 4% increase on the year prior.
Also detailed in the report, Irelandia has called for the establishment of €40 million ($45.4 million) pilot training loan fund, focusing training activities at airports that are currently underutilised such as Waterford, Sligo and Weston. The proposed fund - to be backed by the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) - would provide low-cost debt finance to trainee pilots attending Irish flight schools. The initiative aims to quadruple the annual number of cockpit-ready graduates for European airlines.
"Ireland is one of the most critical nodes in the global aviation network because of scale, expertise and connectivity. This report makes clear that the aviation world is watching what Ireland does next," said Joe Gill, co-author of the report.
The report features insights drawn from confidential conversations from Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus, Willie Walsh, director general of IATA, Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways, and Michael O'Leary, Group CEO of Ryanair.
The full report can be accessed here - A-Pathfinder-for-Irish-Aviation.pdf