Ryanair's €50m investment at Shannon to create 'hundreds of jobs'

The airline will develop its largest aircraft maintenance facility in Ireland as well as a new Ryanair Engineering Academy

Ryanair is planning to €50m investment at Shannon Airport creating 'hundreds of jobs' as it expands engineering operations at the MidWest hub. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA 

Ryanair is planning to €50m investment at Shannon Airport creating 'hundreds of jobs' as it expands engineering operations at the MidWest hub.

The airline will develop its largest aircraft maintenance facility in Ireland at a 6.7-acre site on the airfield at Shannon Airport, with a new four-bay aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangar. Ryanair currently operates a three-bay aircraft maintenance hangar at Shannon Airport which employs 200 mechanics and engineers. 

The new MRO supported by Enterprise Ireland, will include a new Ryanair Engineering Academy, which will see the creation of 80 new apprenticeship roles and support the training of over 400 additional aircraft mechanics between 2027 and 2031.

Subject to planning approval, Ryanair expects construction to commence in early 2027, with the new facility expected to enter operation in late 2028.

"This project is about jobs, skills and growth. Shannon already plays an important role in maintaining Ryanair's fleet, and this expansion will create hundreds of highly skilled engineering jobs while training the next generation of aircraft mechanics in Ireland," said Ryanair's Eddie Wilson.

"We welcome Enterprise Ireland's support for this investment, which will help deliver more high-skilled jobs, apprenticeships and long-term aviation growth in the Shannon region. Together with our new Dublin hangar, this investment demonstrates Ryanair's long-term commitment to making Ireland a leading European centre for aviation maintenance and engineering excellence.”

The proposed new facility will comprise more than 15,000m sq of aircraft maintenance and ancillary space. Shannon Airport and the adjacent Shannon Airport Business Park together support Ireland's largest aviation cluster, with almost 100 companies operating across the campus. The airport’s 10 aircraft hangars which are used for aircraft MRO, aircraft painting and general aviation.

"Shannon has grown into a global hub for aviation, spanning aircraft maintenance, engineering, leasing and aviation services," said Shannon Airport Group CEO, Ray O’Driscoll. "We are proud of our long-standing relationship with Ryanair and look forward to supporting its ambitions at Shannon."

Enterprise Ireland CEO, Jenny Melia, said Ryanair’s announcement was an endorsement of Ireland as a location for long-term investment and growth. "As one of Ireland’s most successful global companies, Ryanair continues to expand its international footprint while reinforcing its commitment to its Irish operations.

"The company’s investment in skills and training in Shannon is particularly significant, supporting the development of specialist talent and helping to address critical skills needs across the aviation sector. This investment further strengthens Ireland’s position as a centre of excellence for aviation."

Enterprise, tourism, and employment minister Peter Burke TD said Ryanair’s announcement is evidence of Irish multinational ambition in action.