EU enlargement ‘should boost aviation’

ENLARGEMENT of the EU will likely help the global aircraft industry emerge from its worst slump in years, the head of General Electric Company’s aircraft leasing arm in Europe said.

Shannon-based Declan Hartnett senior vice president and regional manager for Europe for General Electric Aircraft Services (GECAS) said the 10 mostly eastern European countries joining the EU next year would open new markets and boost demand for new planes.

He also said he thought the industry, hit by recession and the September 11 attacks two year's ago, which left thousands of planes parked in storage, was poised for a new cycle of growth.