Galway firms involved in 'super-jumbo' construction

When the new 550-seater Airbus A-380 debuts at the Paris Air Show next week, two Irish firms will have played their part.

The two Galway Gaeltacht-based companies, CTL Tástáil Teo. And Eirecomposites Teo. Are leaders in the field of lightweight advanced composite materials, which make up almost 25% of the structure of the new "super-jumbo".

The usage of these carbon and glass fibre reinforced composite materials is set to increase greatly, with the next generation of passenger aircraft being made from over 50% of advanced composites.

The benefits of these lightweight materials include more fuel efficient aircraft and increased passenger comfort during travel.

Mr Pádraig O hAoláin, Chief Executive, Údarás na Gaeltachta said: "The participation of CTL and Eirecomposites in the Airbus project is further recognition of the group’s high quality expertise in composite materials.

"We are pleased to support cutting edge technology companies such as these in the Gaeltacht, as they offer top class employment opportunities to highly skilled and educated young people who might otherwise have had to leave the area to seek suitable employment.

"These enterprises are the bridge between the traditional/conventional industries and the modern/new-age enterprises that we are endeavouring to attract to the Gaeltacht."

CTL Tástáil Teo. Has carried out testing of advanced composite wing components of the A380, such as fixed leading edge and spoiler components, from its base at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Industrial Estate in An Spidéal, Co. Galway.

CTL and its sister company Éirecomposites are involved in a €100m, EU-funded, multi-partner research programme to develop the next generation of low-cost, lightweight aircraft wing structures from advanced composite materials, i.e. carbon-fibre and glass-fibre reinforced polymers.

Both companies will exhibit in the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget next week.

CTL and Éirecomposites will be represented on the Enterprise Ireland Stand along with other Irish aerospace companies.