Airlines and airports will operate their normal New Year's Eve schedules for the millennium, but will tailor schedules to customer demand if necessary.
The airlines say that any concerns over the so-called millennium or Y2K bug - the fear that computer systems would fail at midnight on December 31st - are unfounded.
The Irish Aviation Authority said all computer systems had been checked. A spokeswoman added that all aircraft had information technology (IT) systems on board which controlled navigation. However, as they had no date functions there was no problem. All air traffic control systems, monitoring take-offs and landings, had IT systems, but all had been checked and tested and the IAA was satisfied with them. The IAA had also checked with neighbouring states. All airlines also used IT for reservations and commercial business.
Reports that Ryanair had stopped its flights over New Year's Eve night and next morning because of the millennium bug were discounted as misleading yesterday.
A Ryanair spokeswoman said that during the past 15 years of the airline's operations it had always stopped flying over New Year's Eve night.
"We always stop flying in the afternoon of New Year's Eve and resume on New Year's Day around noon. It has nothing to do with the millennium, "the spokeswoman said.
The company would be ceasing flights at 4 p.m. on New Year's Eve as always and resuming at noon on January 1st. . Aer Lingus has not yet made a final decision on its overall winter schedule. A spokesman said it planned to tailor the schedule over the millennium eve to customer demand. The airline would not make a decision until it could anticipate the market. Normally, New Year's Eve was quite a light night and there was a curtailed schedule.
Regarding the millennium bug, he said the airline had been working on that for some time. Its systems on aircraft and on the ground were cleared. They did not expect any problems.
Airlines had probably been the first to act on Y2K compliance. All systems had been checked and everything was in order, the spokesman added.
Cityjet will operate its normal flights. A spokesman said six flights were scheduled for London City airport. The last flight will go out at 6 p.m. as usual.
The company also operates the Air France service to Paris. Four flights are scheduled as usual for New Year's Eve, the last leaving Dublin at 7.45 p.m. The last out of Paris will be at 8.45 p.m.
On January 1st, a Saturday, Cityjet will operate its regular weekly flights - the 8.15 a.m. to London and its scheduled flight to Malaga.
As regards the millennium bug, the Cityjet spokesman said everybody was very well prepared.
A spokeswoman for Aer Rianta, the airports authority, said all airports would be open over the New Year and would be operating as normal. The only day they closed was Christmas Day.
As to the millennium bug, she said Aer Rianta had done all its checks and was continuing to do so.