“Long-term potential,” Mayo Minister leads trade mission to boost Ireland’s aerospace and aviation sector
Enterprise Ireland mission targets investment, exports and aviation opportunities in Farnborough
Minister of State Alan Dillon is leading an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to the Farnborough International Airshow to promote Ireland’s aerospace and aviation sector.
The mission aims to strengthen international partnerships, attract investment and create new export and employment opportunities to assert Ireland’s position as a global aviation hub.
This includes meetings with senior executives from Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Archer Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology.
Ireland’s aerospace, aviation and space industries contribute approximately €4.8 billion to the economy and support around 44,000 jobs, underlining the importance of the industry to national economic growth.
Speaking during the mission, Minister Dillon said Ireland has earned a strong international reputation in aerospace and aviation. Now, maintaining close relationships with global industry leaders is essential to sustaining future growth.
“Ireland has built a very strong reputation in aviation and aerospace,” he said. “This trade mission is an opportunity to promote Irish companies, secure new business and support further investment and high-quality jobs.”
In addition to strengthening commercial ties, the Minister said the meetings provide an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into rapidly evolving technologies, including drones, electric aircraft and advanced air mobility services.
“Companies such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Archer Aviation are helping to shape the future of air travel. It is important that Ireland engages directly with these global leaders and positions our businesses to benefit from the opportunities ahead,” Minister Dillon added.
The trade mission also has a regional focus, with Minister Dillon using the visit to explore how emerging aerospace technologies could support the development of the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport Knock.
He said the international engagements would help identify opportunities to attract investment and high-value employment to Mayo and the West of Ireland.
“Ireland West Airport Knock and its Strategic Development Zone have real long-term potential,” he said. “I am committed to supporting its development, and these international engagements will help us explore how aerospace, aviation and new technologies could form part of that future, bringing investment and jobs to Mayo and the wider west of Ireland,” he said.
The Farnborough mission forms part of Enterprise Ireland’s wider efforts to support Irish companies in accessing international markets and to boost Ireland’s competitiveness in one of the world’s most innovative industries.