Twenty Irish companies from the aviation sector are joining Alan Kelly, TD, Minister of State for Commuter and Public Transport, on an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Russia to leverage opportunities for Irish companies in that market.
The group, which left for Moscow yesterday, is aiming to reinforce the products and services the 20 companies offer Russian airlines and aviation buyers.
“Ireland already has in place a world-class aviation ecosystem, including a very active leasing infrastructure, MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul), pilot training, software and IT, and financial and other services associated with the sector,” Kelly said.
“Our capacity to offer a turn-key solution for many of Russia’s leading airlines means that Ireland is now seen by the Russian aviation industry as a market leader.”
This trade mission is about building on this platform and helping Irish companies increase exports and create and maintain jobs in Ireland, Kelly added.
The aviation industry in Ireland is directly responsible for 26,000 jobs, with an estimated further 16,000 jobs supported in the aviation supply chain, Enterprise Ireland said. This sector also contributes €4.1bn to Ireland’s GDP (€1.9bn directly, with €2.2bn from the supply chain and associated spending).
Major growth is also being seen in the total value of the Russian online travel market, which grew 26pc to US$6.2bn in 2012, and is expected to double in 2013, Enterprise Ireland said.
Moscow image via Shutterstock
