A new aviation maintenance company based at Dublin airport will employ 226 people wtihin five years, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan has announced.
Dublin Aerospace Ltd will be based at Dublin airport and supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland. It will take over two of the hangars formerly occupied by SR Technics.
SR Technics had been due to pull out of Ireland on August 31st but has agreed to extend the line maintenance workers’ contracts until the end of October. It is understood that the extra two months’ work will allow time for a deal to be completed to secure the future of the jobs.
The main promoter of Dublin Aerospace Ltd is Conor McCarthy, currently a director of Air Asia. Investors include EADS, Enterprise Ireland and individual investors involved in the aviation industry.
“Dublin Aerospace aims to commence a best-in-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility having recently acquired assets from the former SR Technics operation at Dublin Airport,” Ms Coughlan said.
She said the establishment of the company continued the “long-standing tradition of excellent international aviation maintenance service" at Dublin Airport.
“Not only will this announcement lead to the creation of 226 new jobs, but it also strengthens this high-skilled industry in Ireland," she said.
“Over the past number of decades, the aviation maintenance industry in Ireland has established a strong international reputation for service, quality, flexibility and responsiveness. Dublin Aerospace can build on that reputation and ensure the further development of an Irish sector already known for its high level of skills and expertise.”
Mr McCarthy said a high-quality management team, all of whom have significant aviation experience, had been assembled. “With our experienced management team and a strong innovative and customer-focussed approach, we look forward to building a profitable, competitive and high quality presence in the global aviation maintenance sector.”
Siptu branch organiser Pat Ward also welcomed the announcement and said he looked forward to meeting the management of the company and establishing a good working relationship with them.
“There has been an aviation industry engaged in the repair and overhaul of aircraft at Dublin Airport that dates back over 80 years,” he said. “The decision of SR Technics to close the main facility because of the business agenda of its wealthy backers did not reflect in any way on the quality of workmanship or commitment of Irish workers.”