About Kerry Airport

Kerry Airport is a fully commercial airport in Ireland handling a mix of business and tourism travel, alongside significant corporate jet activity. The airport employs around 65 direct staff, with approximately 135 people working on site including supporting services such as car hire, taxis, bars and restaurants.

With increasing regulatory demands and a growing need for reliable, modern communication, the airport recognized that its legacy telephony system was no longer fit for purpose. The existing system, in place since the 1990s, had not evolved and was becoming more and more unreliable. The airport required a future-ready solution that could support critical operations, improve internal communication and meet stringent aviation requirements.

The Challenge

The airport relied on an outdated PBX system using a mix of ISDN and PRI circuits, with no online support and slow response times for maintenance issues. Regulatory requirements around aircraft movement and tower communications demanded a highly reliable and compliant system, including strong call recording capabilities.

High operational costs, particularly for international calls, combined with limited flexibility such as the inability to transfer calls to mobile devices, created challenges.

Our Solution

GoldStar Telecommunications designed and implemented a hybrid communication system built around the iPECS UCP100 platform. This approach allowed Kerry Airport to transition from legacy infrastructure to IP while retaining elements of its existing ISDN footprint for continuity.

A key piece of the project was the introduction of advanced call recording. Non-tower communications were managed using iPECS iPCR, while a bespoke solution was developed to enable dual recording for tower communications, addressing complex many-to-many recording requirements.

The system also included a range of IP handsets across the site, alongside an IP-DECT solution that ensured tower staff remained fully contactable while on the move. This provided flexibility and compliance with the
operational requirements.

The Results

The new system delivers consistent reliability, ensuring uninterrupted communication across the airport’s operations. Staff are fully contactable throughout the day, supporting real-time coordination of aircraft movements. Integrated mobile functionality allows calls to be transferred to mobile devices, enabling better flexibility for staff who need to remain connected while moving around the site. Improved cost efficiency has been achieved by reducing reliance on expensive legacy lines and lowering international call costs. The solution also meets strict regulatory requirements in both performance and compliance.

Kerry Airport now operates with a modern communication platform that supports both its operational needs and future growth. The combination of iPECS technology and GoldStar’s expertise has provided a solution the airport has full confidence in.

With a strong system and support in place, the airport is prepared to continue expanding its services while maintaining high standards of safety and communication.