More than 1,100 jobs to go at SR Technics in Dublin

More than 1,100 jobs are to be axed at a leading aircraft maintenance firm, it was announced today.

Troubled SR Technics was forced to make the swingeing cuts to its operations at Dublin Airport after losing four key contracts.

Management at the firm, which is headquartered in Switzerland, blamed the closure of its Irish operation on rising costs and the global downturn.

In a letter to union leaders and staff, SR Technics chief executive Bernd Kessler said 1,135 jobs were being axed.

“Due to the concentration of labour-intensive work and the direct impact of the current market downturn, the SR Technics Group does not see the Dublin facility being part of its future strategy,” the staff were told.

But it is hoped 200 jobs can be saved if other maintenance firms at the airport take on existing contracts tied to SR Technics.

An official with the Unite trade union said: “That’s the only good news coming out of all of this.”