Aviation Education & Training in Ireland rebounds and begins to pull ahead!

This is the year to go for growth. As the economy rebounds and begins to pull ahead, the company that skills up and re-engineers for growth is the company poised for early returns.

Ireland has a long tradition in aviation and aerospace that is recognised worldwide. The resulting reputation and expertise are important assets to the country. The industry in Ireland employs over 25,000 people in airlines, airports, maintenance, financial services, manufacturing and technology. It is clear that a successful aviation industry is essential to the development of any modern economy and this is even more the case in an open, export oriented, economy such as Ireland’s.

Today, we have highly developed aviation sector in which a wide range of companies and organisations play their part. We have world leading airlines and aviation finance companies and a host of smaller companies who are highly innovative and are leaders in their own fields. Strength across the board is important. There is interdependence between all of the elements in a successful aviation and aerospace sector. Without each element being strong in its own right and without the right amount of coordination the sector cannot succeed. Whether it is airlines, airports, regulators, suppliers, or financiers; all of the pieces must come together to make the sector work for the country.

The international aviation market is booming. Aircraft manufacturers have full order books to meet the demand from emerging economies and the replacement of older airliners with more fuel efficient aircraft. Boeing currently estimates that more than 35,000 new aircraft need to be delivered in the next twenty years to keep up with demand.



Today, the aviation and aerospace industry in Ireland consists of 250+ Irish and foreign owned companies employing in the region of 25,000 people. Included are a number of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centres that provide line and base maintenance on a range of narrow and wide bodied commercial airliners as well as overhaul of a range of engine types. These operations are supported by a number of specialist engineering service providers and component sub-supply companies. The effect of the whole is to provide a comprehensive support and maintenance service to a large number of international airline customers.

Economic Contribution :

• The aviation sector contributes €4.1 billion to Irish GDP. 
• 26,000 jobs directly supported by the aviation sector 
• €1.9 billion directly contributed through the output of the aviation sector (airlines, airports and ground services) 
• €1.3 billion indirectly contributed through the aviation sector’s supply chain. 
• €5.3 billion in benefits through tourism.  

A number of MRO operations in Ireland operate on the campuses of the country’s international airports. The facilities and services that are provided by these airports are critical for the efficient operation of these facilities. The continued development of the country’s major airports must take into account the needs of the MRO companies that are major customers. These needs must not be suffer due to a singular focus on passenger services. It is important that the airports and MRO organisations work in close cooperation and partnership because theirs is an interdependent relationship.

 A supply of skilled and qualified personnel is critical if the MRO industry is to flourish in Ireland. Whilst expertise and experience remain strengths of the industry here, there has been a significant deterioration in the supply of newly trained personnel in recent years. In addition, the industry has seen a significant exodus of skills in recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the closure of SR Technics and LTAI in Dublin.

There are a number of aviation related courses available at third level in Ireland including aviation courses via College Ireland in Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, Trinity College Dublin and both technical and business courses (including an BSC) at the University of Limerick. Education Programmes Information as well as programmes such as Project Management & Aircraft Leasing starting Feb , we have Executive Development programmes, Human Factors. English in Aviation, Pre Cabin Crew, Ground Handling, Pilot Training  and more. For more details contact us at office@cias.ie

College Ireland Website

For more info on this area also look at www.faei.ie