The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is to control an additional 95,000km2 (36,700 miles2) of North Atlantic airspace, following an agreement with the UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS). The IAA will acquire control of the Northern Oceanic Transition Area from 1 January 2005, while NATS will continue to control the Shanwick area further west for another 25 years. The deal, which increases the IAA's control area to 450,000km2, means that 90% of all transatlantic flights will pass through the three Irish air traffic control zones - the Shannon Flight Information Region and southern and northern transition areas. Last year the IAA earned 85% of its revenue from overflying transatlantic traffic.
Source: Flight International
