Air Services

Thursday, 19 February 2026

Ceisteanna (226)

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

226. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport to clarify if Shannon Airport is being used as a stopover point for flights chartered by the US’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency; if the Minister can provide the number of such flights that have used Shannon Airport in the last 12 months and the dates for same; if the Minister can clarify whether these flights were inspected or if there are any plans to carry out routine inspections of such flights, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13539/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The Convention on International Civil Aviation signed at Chicago on 7 December 1944, and its associated annexes, established the framework for the operation of international civil aviation. Both Ireland and the United States are contracting parties to this Convention.

Article 5 of this Convention provides for the right of air operators of contracting parties to operate non-scheduled overflights and stops for non-traffic purposes (e.g., refuelling) in the territory of the other contracting parties.

This provision is provided for in Irish law in Article 3 of the Air Services Authorisation Order 1993.

Stops at Irish airports, by private and commercial charters, which are technical stops for non-traffic purposes (i.e. not picking up or setting down passengers), do not require prior authorisation from my Department.

My department had no prior knowledge of, nor has any information on, the flights referred to by the Deputy.