While Air traffic controllers have permitted Santa to fly over Irish skies, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) trust him to be left to his own devices on Christmas Eve.
It’s two days before Santa gets in his sleigh and delivers presents around the world, and the IAA has confirmed it will coordinate other air traffic to facilitate his sleigh journey.
Air Traffic Controller Laura Downey said while he’s been given permission to fly over Ireland, air traffic controllers won’t need to keep a close eye on him.
“We’re not exactly sure where he’s going, but we have an idea of where he’ll come from,” she told Newstalk Breakfast.
“Everything can change on the night – we just have to leave him to it.”
'Watch the magic happen'
Ms Downey explained on Christmas Eve, Santa will ask permission again to enter the skies above Ireland to make sure there are no planes in the way.
After that, air traffic controllers will simply leave Santa to it as he rushes around the country delivering presents to children.
“You let him into the airspace and don’t talk to him again... you just watch the magic happen.”
While there are no commercial flights landing in Ireland on Christmas Day, there will be a “skeleton crew” to keep an eye on things – and they might just get a wave from Santa overnight.
Government welcomes Santa
Last week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed Santa had been permission to enter Irish airspace on Christmas Eve.
He said all the permissions were needed for Santa and his reindeer to deliver presents on December 24th.
Revenue Commissioners waived restrictions on certain goods to allow Santa to deliver toys in no time, while the Department of Agriculture, Wildlife and the Marine have confirmed the reindeer will not need to quarantine before entering the country.
“I want to thank IAA, Department of Agriculture and the Revenue Commissioners for allowing the necessary exemptions to occur,” he said in the Dáil.
It is understood preparations in the North Pole are right on track and children can expect their presents on Christmas Day.
