Ireland's West Knock Airport is to get its first on-site line maintenance service after Dublin-based EirTrade Aviation Maintenance said it had been given EU approval for the work to be done at the airport.
EirTrade said the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had approved Part 145 line maintenance for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft at its facility at the airport.
The year-long approval process, described as "stringent" by EirTrade, was assisted by the Irish Aviation Authority.
Joe Gilmore, managing director of Ireland West Airport, said the approval would be "hugely beneficial" for "future airline and passenger growth".
"Our existing airline partners, Ryanair and Aer Lingus, will be able to access approved line maintenance services as well as on-site support that can deliver immediate action in the event of aircraft issues arising during operations", Gilmore explained.
“Our approval covers Airbus 318/319/320/321 (CFM56); Airbus 319/320/321 (CFM LEAP-1A); Airbus A319/320/321 (IAE V2500); Boeing 737-600/700/800/900 (CFM56); Boeing 737-7/8/9 MAX (CFM LEAP-1B) – we are very pleased to focus on these popular types and be ready to upscale to meet the ensuing demand when scheduled and charter operations step up at Ireland West Airport,” says Jim Maguinness, Eirtrade quality manager.