Foreign Military Aircraft Overflights and Landings: Legislation, Policy, and Statistics
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland and in Irish airspace.
The Order provides that no foreign military aircraft shall fly over, or land in, the State without the express invitation or permission of the Minister. It further provides that the aircraft shall comply with such stipulations as the Minister may make.
Requests for permission for foreign military aircraft to land in or overfly Ireland are routinely required to include confirmation that the aircraft meets specific criteria – namely, that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; and that it will not engage in intelligence gathering. Furthermore, applications must also specify that the flights do not form part of a military exercise or operation.
These conditions are applied to ensure compatibility with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality, which is characterised by non-membership of military alliances. This policy provides a context within which requests for permission to overfly, or land in, the State are considered by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
September 2023
Military Aircraft Overflights and Landings Statistics 2023
October 2023
Military Aircraft Overflights and Landings Statistics 2023
November 2023
Military Aircraft Overflights and Landings Statistics 2023