A new aircraft maintenance company is being set up in Exeter and is immediately recruiting 100 mechanics and engineers with plans to more than double that number.
Exeter Aerospace has been established by Dublin Aerospace Group, the aviation maintenance company based in Ireland, and will operate from the former Flybe Maintenance Services at Exeter Airport.
The airline Flybe collapsed n March 2020 with the loss of 2,000 jobs. It served 14 destinations across the UK and Europe from Exeter Airport but some services are now being run from the airstrip by other operators.
And now newly formed Exeter Aerospace plans to have six Aircraft Overhaul Bays in addition to a range of support shops and test facilities at the airport.
Exeter Aerospace wants to hire for 100 vacant positions immediately, with this number to grow in line with the business as airlines and aircraft return to the skies during the coming months and years.
In the next three-four years, the firm’s overall aim is to have more than 250 aviation professionals working at Exeter Aerospace.
In addition, the business plans to establish strong aircraft engineering apprenticeship and aircraft mechanic traineeship programmes in partnership with the UK Government and Exeter College, following in the footsteps of sister company, Dublin Aerospace, which recently announced that it will be hiring an additional 29 apprentices from next month.
Conor McCarthy, chairman and chief executive of Dublin Aerospace Group, said: “We are thrilled to have made Exeter the home of our first UK MRO (Maintenance Repair and Overhaul) Centre. The availability of the hangars and workshops there, combined with a phenomenal pool of local aviation and engineering talent, makes this a hugely attractive location for us."
Dublin Aerospace operates a successful aircraft overhaul facility in Dublin which specialises in Boeing 737, Airbus A320, and A330 aircraft.
Exeter Aerospace plans to complement this by specialising in the Embraer 170/190 Regional Jets, Bombardier Dash 8/Q400, and ATR 72 Turboprop families in Exeter. The group also has major activities in landing gear and APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) overhaul.
“Already, we have acquired all of the tooling and equipment we require for these aircraft types and have taken possession of the modern and purpose-built Exeter hangars and workshops,” said Mr McCarthy.
“We are now in the process of applying for UK CAA and EASA (EU Aviation Safety Authority) approvals for Exeter Aerospace and have already commenced hiring our initial group of aerospace engineers and technicians.
"The Exeter Aerospace Employment Model is unique and includes flexible ‘annualised hours’ working to match the high degree of seasonality in aircraft overhaul.
“We shall also be applying our unique profit sharing approach for our team which pays out 10% of profits to team members every quarter. This enables all the team to benefit from their hard work and flexibility.”
He added: “Dublin Aerospace Group has always been a huge supporter of apprenticeships and traineeships. While 2020 has been unprecedented in many ways, we believe that it is vital to keep our focus on the longer term.
“Our intention is to continue the great work that has been done locally to develop young talent for aerospace and thereby continue the proud aviation tradition here in the South of England,” said McCarthy, a former Aer Lingus apprentice himself.
Exeter Aerospace has entered into an agreement with Regional and City Airports (RCA) Limited, owners of Exeter Airport, regarding the long-term lease of the hangars and workshops at Exeter Airport.
“We are delighted to welcome Exeter Aerospace. This recognises and reactivates some of our specialised local skills and facilities and we look forward to working with them and supporting their exciting plans for growth,” said RCA chief executive Andrew Bell.
