Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe TD has announced the creation of 71 aircraft maintenance jobs at Dublin Airport over the next three years.
The positions are being created by aircraft maintenance firm Eirtech Aviation, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland.
Eirtech has identified a market for the maintenance of wide-body aircraft which it cannot carry out in Shannon for space reasons. Therefore it has established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Dublin Airport to meet the demand in this market.
Eirtech Aviation will provide aircraft refurbishment, painting and engineering to commercial airlines at Dublin, as well as private and business-class aircraft operators and aircraft leasing companies.
The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shannon-based Eirtech Aviation Ltd, which employs 65 workers and was formed following a management buy-out of Lufthansa Technik Painting Shannon Ltd last year.
Ireland’s aviation-services reputation
Speaking in Dublin Airport’s Hangar Three today, Minister O’Keeffe described the announcement as “a significant indication of the airport’s capacity to attract maintenance firms and create high-quality jobs”.
“Over the past year, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, with the support of Government, have worked hard to develop Dublin Airport’s aviation maintenance services and create new jobs.
“Eirtech Aviation is the latest Irish-owned aircraft maintenance company to establish in Dublin Airport and that will strengthen our reputation for high-quality maintenance services for the aviation industry worldwide,” Minister O’Keeffe said.
Greater flexibility
The managing director of Eirtech Aviation Niall Cunningham said the company was in the fortunate position of being able to expand its presence in Ireland, servicing both the domestic and international markets.
“We are operating in a highly competitive international marketplace but we have the experience and expertise to offer our clients a range of capabilities, skills and services to suit all aircraft types and challenges,” he said.
Eirtech’s customer base includes international airlines, leasing firms and private jet operators, and, according to Cunningham, the establishment of a Dublin base provides greater flexibility for the company’s clients.
The chief executive of Enterprise Ireland Frank Ryan said Eirtech had an “energetic and highly experienced” management team, while its sister company in Shannon has a “strong track record and robust customer base”.
“These and other factors mean Eirtech Dublin has a solid base on which to develop a successful business,” he added.
Meanwhile the commercial director of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) Jack MacGowan said the company was delighted that Eirtech had agreed to rent hangar space in the airport.
“With this agreement in place we now have commitments for all six of the former SR Technics hangars in Dublin Airport,” MacGowan said.
Article courtesy of Businessandleadership.com
