220 new jobs in aircraft servicing

MORE than 220 jobs are to be created at a new aircraft maintenance company based at Dublin Airport.

The jobs announcement comes as pharmaceutical giant Elan announced it was seeking 29 redundancies in its Athlone facility.

The 226 jobs at Dublin Aerospace Ltd will be created over the next five years.

The jobs boost at the airport follows the closure of the SR Technics maintenance company earlier this year with the loss of more than 1,000 jobs.

The main promoter of the new company is Conor McCarthy, who is currently a director with Air Asia.

Investors include Enterprise Ireland, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and others involved in the aviation industry.

Dublin Aerospace aims to have a best-in-class maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility having recently acquired assets from the former SR Technics operation at Dublin airport.

Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan said the jobs added to Ireland’s strong reputation in the field of aviation maintenance.

“Over the past number of decades, the aviation industry in Ireland has established a strong international reputation for service, quality, flexibility and responsiveness.”

“Dublin Aerospace can build on that reputation and ensure the further development of an Irish sector already known for its high levels of skills and expertise.”

Chief executive of Enterprise Ireland Frank Ryan said the company would be in a strong position to compete for international business going into the future.

“The promoters are experienced individuals with strong track records in aviation. Their experience, combined with Dublin’s reputation as a high quality base for aircraft maintenance services, means Dublin Aerospace will be in a strong position to compete for international business and help develop Dublin’s reputation for aircraft maintenance services,” he said.

Meanwhile pharmaceutical company Elan yesterday announced it was seeking 29 redundancies at its facility in Athlone. The company already cut 115 jobs at the same facility in February.

The move follows a decision by Eli-Lilly to end production of the drug Duloxetine at the plant. The redundancies will be voluntary.