The Irish Air Navigation Service

What The Irish Air Navigation Service does

AirNav Ireland is the state-owned air navigation service provider (ANSP) responsible for managing 451,000 km² of Irish-controlled airspace and delivering air traffic control, flight information services, alerting, search and rescue coordination, aeronautical information, and North Atlantic communications. The organisation operates three airport control towers (Dublin, Cork, Shannon) plus the North Atlantic Communications Centre at Ballygirreen, handling approximately 250,000+ flights per year (77,000 en-route, 60,000 terminal, and 107,000 North Atlantic transits). It was launched on 1 May 2023 as an independent entity carved out from the restructured Irish Aviation Authority and employs 652 staff.

The underlying technology stack is built around the Thales TopSky-ATC platform deployed under the COOPANS alliance, supplemented by electronic flight strips, CPDLC (Controller–Pilot Data Link Communications), XMAN cross-border arrival management, and a network of ground-based radars, ADS-B receivers, and navigation aids. AirNav Ireland historically held co-ownership of Aireon, the space-based ADS-B venture providing real-time global surveillance and GPS jamming/spoofing detection; Iridium acquired full control of Aireon in 2026 for ~$366.7M. The organisation participates in EU SESAR research programmes, including the GEESE wake energy retrieval trials for sustainable aviation.

The business model is that of a regulated monopoly ANSP under the EU Single European Sky framework. Revenue is generated through en-route and terminal air navigation service charges levied uniformly on airlines and aircraft operators, with rates set under EU performance and charging regulations and cross-reconciled with neighbouring ANSPs. Customers are effectively all commercial airlines, cargo operators, and general aviation users transiting Irish-controlled airspace and the North Atlantic corridor, with no individual operator dominant in the customer mix. AirNav Ireland recorded a €12M surplus in 2025 on record traffic levels and is led by CEO Gerald Caffrey.

Name

The Irish Air Navigation Service

Legal name

AirNav Ireland

Website

https://airnav.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

AirNav Ireland is the state-owned monopoly air navigation service provider for Irish-controlled airspace (451,000 km²), delivering ATC, North Atlantic communications, and aeronautical information services to all commercial airlines and general aviation operators transiting between Europe and North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Navigation Services

NAICS

Air Traffic Control (488111), Airport Operations (48811)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

Keywords

• Air traffic management
• Air navigation services
• Flight information services
• North Atlantic communications
• Aeronautical information management

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Air Navigation Service Charges: AirNav Ireland generates revenue through regulated air navigation service charges levied on airlines and aircraft operators using Irish-controlled airspace. As Ireland's national Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), the company operates under a regulatory framework. In 2025, AirNav Ireland reported a €12 million surplus amid record air traffic levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AirNav Ireland provides air traffic management services in 451,000 km² of Irish-controlled airspace, including air traffic control, en route and terminal services, flight information, alerting and search and rescue, aeronautical information management, and North Atlantic communications for transatlantic flights. Services are delivered through three operational control towers (Dublin, Cork, Shannon) and a North Atlantic Communications Centre, with technology infrastructure including space-based ADS-B surveillance via Aireon, Mode S radar, TopSky ATC, CPDLC, and electronic flight strips.

Product overview

AirNav Ireland provides a comprehensive suite of air traffic management services across 451,000 km2 of Irish-controlled airspace, which forms a crucial gateway between Europe and North America. The core offerings include Air Traffic Control, Flight Information Services, Alerting and Search & Rescue Services, Aeronautical Information Management, and North Atlantic Communications. These are delivered through integrated ATM Systems & Technology infrastructure. The company also offers innovation and sustainability initiatives including SESAR GEESE Wake Energy Retrieval, Dublin Point Merge, and Continuous Climb & Descent Operations. Supporting services include Flight Planning tools, Electronic Flight Strips, Enhanced Surface Movement Radar, Data Linking (CPDLC), Cross Border Arrivals Management (XMAN), and Mode S surveillance upgrades. The Aireon ALERT Service provides space-based aircraft tracking for search and rescue support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Air Traffic Control Core air traffic management service providing safe, orderly and expeditious movement of air traffic on and in the vicinity of Irish airports and in Irish-controlled airspace, delivered through three operational ATC towers (Dublin, Cork, Shannon).
• En Route Services Air navigation services provided to aircraft while in flight en route to their destinations within Irish airspace, handling approximately 77,000 en route flights annually.
• Terminal Services Air navigation services provided to aircraft during the approach and departure phases at Irish airports, handling approximately 60,000 terminal flights annually.
• North Atlantic Communications Facilitates VHF/HF communications between air traffic control and flights in the Shanwick Oceanic Control Area on the North Atlantic, where up to 90% of flights between Europe and North America pass through. Handles approximately 107,000 North Atlantic flights annually.
• Flight Information Services Provides flight information services to aircraft operating in Irish airspace.
• Alerting and Search & Rescue Services Provides alerting services and supports search and rescue operations for aircraft in distress in Irish airspace, including space-based tracking via the Aireon ALERT service.
• Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) Manages and disseminates aeronautical information essential for flight operations, including NOTAMs, to airlines, pilots, and aviation stakeholders.
• Flight Planning Service Digital self-service portal allowing pilots to file, change, delay, or cancel flight plans, with pilot registration and weather information access.
• ATM Safety Management Safety management systems and procedures for air traffic management operations, including the Safety Policy governing AirNav Ireland's ATM activities.
• Air Traffic Controller Training Programme Initial air traffic controller training delivered at the AirNav Ireland Training Centre in Ballycasey, Shannon, with 76 student controllers planned for 2026 to address staffing shortages.

Quantifiable outcome

• AirNav Ireland handled approximately 250,000 total flights, 77,000 enroute flights, 60,000 terminal flights, and 107,000 North Atlantic flights
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iridium CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026Iridium Communications acquired the remaining 61% stake in Aireon LLC for approximately $366.7 million from five air navigation service providers including AirNav Ireland. This gives Iridium full ownership of the world's only space-based ADS-B surveillance system. AirNav Ireland, as a former equity holder, will continue to benefit from Aireon's surveillance capabilities over Irish airspace, with NAV CANADA and NATS signing extended data services agreements through 2035 and beyond.
• NAV CANADAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026NAV CANADA is one of five air navigation service providers that co-owned Aireon LLC. Following Iridium's full acquisition of Aireon, NAV CANADA and NATS signed extended data services agreements through 2035 and beyond to continue accessing Aireon space-based ADS-B data.
• NATScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026NATS (UK) is one of five air navigation service providers that co-owned Aireon LLC. Following Iridium's acquisition, NATS and NAV CANADA signed extended data services agreements through 2035 and beyond.
• ENAVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026ENAV (Italy) is one of five air navigation service providers that co-owned Aireon LLC and sold its 61% stake to Iridium Communications.
• Naviair DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026Naviair Denmark is one of five air navigation service providers that co-owned Aireon LLC and sold its stake to Iridium Communications.
• COOPANS AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOOPANS is an alliance of air navigation service providers managing Europe's largest air traffic volume. AirNav Ireland is a member of the alliance, which jointly upgrades its air traffic control systems. The alliance allows sharing of operational expertise and technology across multiple European ANSPs.
• SESAR Joint Undertaking (GEESE Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirNav Ireland participates in the SESAR Joint Undertaking GEESE project for wake energy retrieval, collaborating with Airbus, airlines, and other ANSPs. Trials were conducted between September and October 2025 over the North Atlantic, achieving 8 out of 11 successful aircraft pairings. The project has progressed to GEESE 2 phase with expanded partners.
• Airservices AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirNav Ireland and Airservices Australia entered an agreement to share expertise in air navigation services, enabling knowledge transfer and best practice sharing between the two ANSPs.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus partnered with airlines and air navigation service providers including AirNav Ireland for the SESAR GEESE wake energy retrieval project. Airbus conducted trials over the North Atlantic in 2025 and is planning its own test flights to mature paired flight technology.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NATS: UK Air Navigation Service Provider and co-owner of Aireon (extended data agreement through 2035+). Operates NATS Services across UK airspace and the eastern North Atlantic, directly comparable in scale, mandate, and airspace profile.
• ISAVIA: Iceland's national ANSP operating Icelandic airspace including portions of the North Atlantic. Comparable in providing oceanic ATC services and managing transatlantic traffic flows.
• DFS (Deutsche Flugsicherung): Germany's national ANSP and one of the largest in Europe. Provides ATC across dense central European airspace with similar statutory monopoly, COOPANS alliance participation, and SESAR involvement.
• DSNA (Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne): France's national ANSP under the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Comparable in providing en-route, terminal, and oceanic ATC services with a regulated cost-recovery model.
• NAV CANADA: Canada's national ANSP and co-owner of Aireon with extended data services agreement through 2035+. Operates one of the world's largest ANSPs by airspace volume, comparable in regulatory monopoly structure and transcontinental traffic exposure.
• Austro Control: Austria's national ANSP and a COOPANS alliance member alongside AirNav Ireland. Operates ATC services in Austrian airspace and participates in the same joint ATC system upgrade program, making it a structurally close peer.
• Airservices Australia: Australia's national ANSP and a recently signed knowledge-sharing partner of AirNav Ireland. Comparable statutory monopoly over large, strategically vital airspace and similar participation in ICAO/CANSO frameworks.
• ENAV: Italy's national ANSP and one of five Aireon co-owners. Provides ATC and ATM services across Italian airspace with similar state-mandated structure and participation in SESAR programs.
• Naviair: Denmark's national ANSP and one of five Aireon co-owners. Comparable in size and regulatory framework; operates Danish airspace and partners on cross-border North Sea operations.

Broad incumbents

• FAA (Federal Aviation Administration): U.S. national ANSP and the world's largest. Provides ATC services across U.S. airspace and oceanic domains; broader scope and scale than AirNav Ireland but operates the same regulated, state-mandated ANSP model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AirNav_Ireland
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AirNavIreland
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61567062144741
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/airnav-ireland
• Instagraminstagram.com/airnavireland
• TikToktiktok.com/@airnav_ireland

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Irish Air Navigation Service