Minister Mitchell O’Connor to open first Enterprise Ireland pavilion at Farnborough Airshow
Today, the Irish aviation and aerospace sector will be promoted by Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. It will happen at the Farnborough International Airshow in Hampshire, England where there will be an Enterprise Ireland Pavillion for the first time
Enterprise Ireland, the Government agency responsible for helping Irish companies to scale and export internationally, will be showcasing six companies from Ireland’s aviation and aerospace sector following successful attendance at last year’s Paris Air Show.
There are over 250 companies active in the aviation and aerospace sector in Ireland, contributing over €4.1 billion to GDP and supporting 42,000 jobs in Ireland.
The Farnborough International Airshow, which takes place every two years, will showcase Ireland as a location for high-quality aviation, aerospace and related services.
The event provides an opportunity for Enterprise Ireland clients to exhibit, attend buyer meetings and actively participate in the many industry networking events around the Airshow.
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD said: “Farnborough will give Enterprise Ireland client companies a chance to showcase their capabilities to buyers from all over the world.
“There was approximately €185 billion-worth of business transacted at the last Farnborough event two years ago. I very much hope this week’s exhibitors can tap further into this market, deepening relationships with the likes of Airbus, Bombardier, Boeing, Rolls Royce and related supply chains.
“Ireland is a big player in this sector, for instance managing over 50 per cent of the world’s leased aircraft. Increasing our global presence in this market will drive exports and jobs at home.”
The Minister’s presence will help foster trade links with the UK, USA and France which have high potential growth in the sector, and developmental opportunities in countries such as Germany and South Africa.
Dr Tom Kelly, Enterprise Ireland’s Divisional Manager, Industrial, Life Sciences & Consumer, who is accompanying the Minister said the Irish aviation and aerospace sector was respected globally as an innovator and market leader, and that attendance at the event would support clients’ efforts to deepen their presence in the UK, while also accessing global opportunities in the aviation and aerospace sector.
“Our long-standing tradition in the sector means we have built up a wide range of high-level skills and key competencies in areas such as leasing, aircraft maintenance, component manufacture and airline support services, so Farnborough Airshow is a great place for Irish aviation and aerospace companies to be seen,” Dr Kelly said.
The Farnborough International Airshow is a week-long event that combines a major trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries with a public airshow. The event is held in mid-July in even-numbered years at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire,England. The first four days (Monday to Thursday) are dedicated exclusively to trade, with the final three days open to the public.
The airshow is an important event in the international aerospace and defence industry calendar, providing an opportunity to demonstrate civilian and military aircraft to potential customers and investors. The show is also used for the announcement of new developments and orders, and to attract media coverage.
