Ryanair to create 400 highly skilled jobs through €50m investment

The company has submitted a planning application for a major expansion of its engineering operations at Shannon Airport.

Airline group Ryanair has announced plans to build a new four-bay aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hangar at Shannon Airport as part of a €50m investment that will also create 400 new jobs. 

The company said it has already submitted a planning application for the “major expansion” of its engineering operations at Shannon Airport, which, once completed, will become Ryanair’s largest aircraft maintenance facility in Ireland. 

Plans are subject to approval, but once they have the go-ahead construction is likely to begin in 2027. The new facility is expected to become operational in late 2028. The airline currently operates a three-bay aircraft maintenance hangar at Shannon, which supports more than 200 high-skilled mechanical and engineering jobs. 

The new MRO hangar will form a key part of Ryanair’s ongoing investment in aircraft maintenance, operational resilience and engineering training across its network, the company said.

The investment will also include a new Ryanair engineering academy, which will see the creation of 80 new apprenticeship roles and support the training of more than 400 additional aircraft mechanics between 2027 and 2031.

Commenting on the announcement, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said, “This project is about jobs, skills and growth. Shannon already plays an important role in maintaining Ryanair’s fleet, and this expansion will create hundreds of highly skilled engineering jobs while training the next generation of aircraft mechanics in Ireland.

“We welcome Enterprise Ireland’s support for this investment, which will help deliver more high-skilled jobs, apprenticeships and long-term aviation growth in the Shannon region. Together with our new Dublin hangar, this investment demonstrates Ryanair’s long-term commitment to making Ireland a leading European centre for aviation maintenance and engineering excellence.”

Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia added, “Ryanair’s announcement of 400 new jobs is a strong endorsement of Ireland as a location for long-term investment and growth. As one of Ireland’s most successful global companies, Ryanair continues to expand its international footprint while reinforcing its commitment to its Irish operations.

“The company’s investment in skills and training in Shannon is particularly significant, supporting the development of specialist talent and helping to address critical skills needs across the aviation sector. This investment further strengthens Ireland’s position as a centre of excellence for aviation.”

Also this week, Entegro, a Kilkenny-based engineering group, announced the acquisition of renewable energy specialist Acel Energy and additional plans to grow its workforce from 200 employees to roughly 300. 

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