IAA chief executive Eamonn Brennan confirmed this week that Mr Mooney will succeed Pat Ryan, taking up the position from October 1.

Mr Mooney has been general manager of the IAA's air traffic management operation at Shannon for the past seven years and will divide his time between Shannon and IAA headquarters in Dublin upon assuming the position.

Mr Mooney previously served as general manager of the North Atlantic Communications division in Ballygirreen; as head of training and as operations manager Shannon Area Control Centre, and as a team leader and instructor in the IAA's Commercial and Training Directorate.

Mr Mooney spent 15 years as an air traffic controller and held tower and all radar ratings during that time, and also has significant experience in international relations and activities, having represented the IAA at several Eurocontrol, European Commission and ICAO meetings.

He is a member of the ICAO European Air Navigation Planning Group, ICAO NAT Systems Planning Group and the ICAO North Atlantic Air Traffic Management Group.