IAA urged not to withdraw SR Technics' licence

The Irish Aviation Authority must not withdraw SR Technics’ licence to operate, it was urged today.

The aircraft maintenance firm is to make 1,135 employees redundant from its centre at Dublin Airport.

However, Labour Senator Dominic Hannigan appealed for officials not to act before full and comprehensive attempts had been made to save the company.

Mr Hannigan said: “I would ask that any attempt to remove the licence should be refused by the IAA and I am calling on the minister (for Transport Noel Dempsey) to ensure that any attempt to have the licence removed is resisted.”

To sign off on the maintenance of aircraft all companies have to have a licence to operate, which is known as the EASA 145. If this is withdrawn, they cannot continue to operate.

About 200 jobs may be saved if the firm can successfully outsource its line maintenance contracts.

SR Technics recently lost a number of key contracts, including three maintenance contracts from Aer Lingus.

The group said the recent loss of major contracts and economic forecasts as well as the high cost of operating in Ireland meant there was no future in Dublin.

Mr Hannigan added: “The loss of SR Technics’ jobs will be a huge loss to communities in Meath East and north Dublin, and no stone should be left unturned in securing the best possible outcome from a very grim situation.”