Santa Claus has officially been granted permission to fly in Irish airspace this Christmas Eve through Christmas Day.
“I would like to confirm that Santa Claus has permission to enter Irish airspace and to cross our borders on December 24 through December 25th," Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said today, December 13, in the Dáil.
“And I would like to thank the IAA [Irish Aviation Authority], Department of Agriculture, and the Revenue Commissioners for allowing the necessary exemptions to occur.”
The Taoiseach's announcement was met with smiles in the Dáil on Wednesday:
Santa Claus has been granted permission to enter Irish airspace this Christmas, the Dáil has heard | More: https://t.co/Wu2RZDNZ6Y pic.twitter.com/XTas9jw5lA
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 13, 2023
Indeed, the IAA later said on X, formerly Twitter: "We can confirm all appropriate permissions have been given for the most important flight in the Irish aviation calendar. #santa #christmas
"All the best to Santa, the reindeers and the good people @AirNav_Ireland who will guide the crew into Irish airspace on Christmas eve......”
Dublin Airport said on X on Wednesday that it’s ready for Santa, too.
“Flight operations at Dublin Airport will cease on Christmas Eve after the last flight arrives at around 23.00, ensuring the air space is fully clear for the arrival of Santa’s sleigh after midnight.”
We’re ready for Santa too! Flight operations at Dublin Airport will cease on Christmas Eve after the last flight arrives at around 23.00, ensuring the air space is fully clear for the arrival of Santa’s sleigh after midnight. 🎅 https://t.co/EmvJnz6Ep9
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) December 13, 2023
Aer Lingus is also ready to cater to "Mr. Claus" this month:
Permission to enter Irish airspace: Confirmed ✅🎅 pic.twitter.com/fe5YnpDyS1
— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) December 13, 2023
Santa's Irish permissions weren't really in doubt as the announcement has become a tradition in the Dáil ahead of Christmas in previous years.
However, it remains to be seen what kind of weather Santa Claus will be flying in over Ireland this Christmas.
On December 12, Met Éireann, the Irish meteorological service, published its extended-range forecast.
For the week of December 18 through December 24, Met Éireann says: "Weather conditions will be mixed with drier than average conditions forecast in the east and south of the country whilst wetter than normal conditions are predicted across the west and north.
"Mean air temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal overall, but temporary cold incursions from the north and west are possible at times."
For the week of December 25 through January 1, Met Éireann forecasts: "At this stage, the weather is likely to become more unsettled with alternating periods of cold polar maritime air and mild sub-tropical air.
"Overall, mean air temperatures are forecast to be slightly above the December norm.
"Rainfall amounts are predicted to be above normal nationwide, with the highest rainfall totals expected across the western half of the country."
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