Dublin Aerospace

Dublin Aerospace received a final grant of planning permission on 13th August from Fingal County Council for a two-bay aircraft maintenance hangar, designed to accommodate a range of code C aircraft types (up to Boeing 737/Airbus A320 family size), with a plan are of 4,233m². The overall dimensions of the proposed structure to be located on a vacant lot between Hangars 5 and 6 on the North Apron at Dublin Airport, is 90.75m wide by 49.59m deep; with an overall height of 19.18m at its ridge. Planning was also granted for extension and modification of the paved apron area to facilitate access to the proposed new hangar, service connections to the proposed facility and all associated site works. However, Conor McCarthy, founder and Executive Chairman of Dublin Aerospace has said he won’t be proceeding with the development of the hangar until the rates system changes. “You’d be expanding to reduce profitability,” he said and claimed that the rates he pays brings his effective corporate tax rate from 12.5% to 65%.  “I’d prefer to pay 20% corporation tax and no rates,” he added. He said the rates he is currently charged add €4,000 a year to the cost of employing each of his workers. The new hangar could cost between €10-15 million to develop and could lead to the creation of as many as 150 extra jobs but he will be charged rates based on floor space, rather than the number of people the new development would employ. As can be see from the maintenance report, the business is doing well and Mr McCarthy said it is currently booked up with work until next April. However, the winter is its busiest time of year for maintenance as airlines can more easily take aircraft off their networks. The company has recently secured a large contract from Thomas Cook to provide maintenance for a portion of its fleet.