Shannon firm flying after airline deal

Shannon-based aviation firm Eirtech has signed a multimillion-euro deal with US company Southwest Airlines for its cost-and time-saving solution for upgrading the latter’s fleet.

The opportunity for the Irish-based company arose after the Federal Aviation Authority mandated that a technical modification involving all Boeing 737s be resolved.

Eirtech’s team in Shannon developed the solution, which involves the manufacturing of ‘wiring kits’ and the provision of the supporting engineering documentation.

A team from Eirtech Aviation will head to Dallas to assist Southwest’s engineers on the first installation of the kits, to ensure early regulatory compliance.

Eirtech chief executive Niall Cunningham said the solution they had developed is cheaper and less disruptive than those which rival companies had come up with.

“This is a significant contract and has led to discussions with other airlines in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, all of which are looking for a resolution that guarantees the fastest turn-around times matched by the highest standards with full regulatory compliance, at a cost that is competitive,” Mr Cunningham said.

“The expertise of our teams has facilitated the development of a kit that will allow the aircraft to be modified with the minimum of disruption to client operations.”

Although Eirtech is contract-bound not to disclose details of the agreement, it is understood to be a significant deal.

The contract with Southwest Airlines commenced immediately and Eirtech Aviation is currently manufacturing and shipping its kits to Dallas, as an engineering team from Shannon heads to the US to ensure the smooth handover and installation of the cost- and time-saving engineering solution.

Eirtech has also confirmed it is in negotiations with a number of airlines that fly 737s.