EirTrade Aviation Unveils Major Expansion at Knock Airport

EirTrade Aviation is set to dramatically scale up its presence at Ireland West Airport Knock, with a new aircraft hangar and logistics complex designed to anchor a growing aviation services hub in the west of Ireland.

Strategic Expansion at Ireland West Airport Knock

EirTrade Aviation Ireland Ltd has lodged plans for a substantial new facility at Ireland West Airport Knock, marking one of the most significant private aviation investments yet at the regional gateway. The proposal includes a 2,412 square metre aircraft hangar alongside a 7,420 square metre warehouse and logistics building, supported by 518 square metres of ancillary offices across two storeys, according to planning filings with Mayo County Council.

The development is slated for a site within the Knock Airport Strategic Development Zone, an area earmarked by local and national authorities for aviation-related enterprise and long-term employment growth. EirTrade, a Dublin-headquartered asset management and trading specialist, already operates from a 7.6-acre site beside the airport and has been steadily building up its presence there over the past 15 years.

The latest project is intended to build on that foothold and respond to rising demand for aircraft storage, disassembly, engine services and parts trading. It also dovetails with Ireland West Airport Knock’s ambition to evolve from a primarily passenger-focused facility into a broader aviation industry campus serving airlines, lessors and maintenance providers across Europe and beyond.

Planning documentation indicates that a previous approval for a similar scheme, granted in 2021 and subject to 22 conditions, is due to expire in March 2026. The fresh application is designed to keep momentum behind EirTrade’s expansion and lock in a larger, more modern base at Knock as it pursues new business lines and larger aircraft projects.

New Hangar to Anchor Growing MRO and Disassembly Hub

At the heart of the expansion is the proposed hangar, which will support a broad spectrum of activities from line maintenance and aircraft parking to disassembly and storage. The building is expected to be capable of handling large commercial jets, complementing EirTrade’s existing ability to process multiple aircraft at once and expanding its capacity for complex teardown programmes.

EirTrade has become known in the aviation sector for its focus on extracting maximum value from end-of-life and mid-life aircraft, and more recently from newer-technology narrowbodies. The company has already handled high-profile projects such as the dismantling of young Airbus A320neo airframes, underlining the need for flexible hangar space, extensive warehousing and secure logistics infrastructure at Knock.

The wider scheme goes beyond the hangar itself to include extensive aircraft apron and storage areas, new vehicular access, dedicated staff parking, heavy goods vehicle facilities and screened plant zones. Reports submitted to local planners describe an integrated campus that can support long-duration parking, preservation and phased disassembly, while ensuring efficient movement of components into the adjacent warehouse for inspection, repair and global shipment.

Construction is proposed to begin in the first quarter of 2026, subject to planning approval, and is expected to take up to 18 months. That timeline would see the upgraded facility come on stream in 2027, positioning Knock to capture additional work as airlines and lessors continue to retire older fleets and rebalance capacity following the sharp cycles of recent years.

Boost for Regional Jobs, Skills and Supply Chains

The planned facility is being closely watched across the west and northwest of Ireland, where policymakers have long argued that high-value aviation and engineering roles can help diversify local economies. EirTrade already employs specialist technicians, logistics experts and asset managers at Knock, and the company’s leadership has signalled that the new development will support further job creation as volumes grow.

Local representatives view the project as a cornerstone in building a sustainable cluster of aviation businesses around the airport, one that can offer career paths for engineers, apprentices and skilled trades without requiring relocation to Dublin or overseas hubs. The presence of an AFRA-accredited disassembly operation and EASA-approved line maintenance at Knock has already attracted interest from airlines and leasing companies looking for flexible solutions outside major congested airports.

The expansion also carries broader benefits for the regional supply chain. Construction of the hangar and warehouse complex is expected to generate demand for local contractors, materials and professional services, while ongoing operations will lean on nearby firms in fields such as logistics, component repair, tooling and environmental services. For Mayo County Council and regional development agencies, EirTrade’s commitment is seen as a validation of long-term investment in the Knock Airport Strategic Development Zone.

Crucially, the project aligns with national policy goals to support balanced regional development and better spread aviation activity beyond Ireland’s main gateways. With passenger traffic at Ireland West Airport Knock climbing and new state support frameworks in place for regional airports, the conditions are increasingly favourable for private-sector projects that bring long-term, export-oriented employment.

Knock’s Role in a Changing Global Aviation Market

EirTrade’s move comes at a time when the global aviation market is undergoing structural shifts, with newer-technology aircraft fleets expanding rapidly and demand rising for high-quality used serviceable material. By positioning Knock as a base for the disassembly, repair and redistribution of components from both legacy and new-generation aircraft, the company aims to cement Ireland’s status as a key node in this evolving ecosystem.

The airport already benefits from strong connectivity to the transatlantic leasing and finance community concentrated in Dublin, as well as to major European operators seeking efficient turnaround times for maintenance and teardown projects. The addition of expanded hangar and warehouse capacity will give EirTrade more flexibility to undertake complex workscopes, including large widebody projects and multiple narrowbody aircraft in parallel.

Industry observers note that regional airports with available space and supportive planning regimes are increasingly attractive for such projects. Knock, with its established runway infrastructure, relatively uncongested airspace and supportive regional planning framework, offers a compelling alternative to busier hubs where slots, apron space and hangar time are in short supply.

For Ireland West Airport Knock itself, the EirTrade development is a strategic complement to its core passenger business. Alongside new routes and rising traffic numbers, the growth of an aviation services and logistics campus provides an additional revenue stream, enhances the airport’s resilience to cyclical shocks and strengthens its case for further investment in infrastructure and surface access.

Next Steps and Outlook for Ireland’s West Coast Aviation Cluster

The planning application for the new EirTrade facility is due to be assessed by Mayo County Council in the coming months, with a decision expected later this year. If approved, the project will move into detailed design and procurement, with ground works targeted to begin early in 2026. Stakeholders expect strong interest from construction and engineering firms, given the technical complexity and profile of the scheme.

Looking ahead, aviation analysts suggest that EirTrade’s expansion could act as a catalyst for additional investment around Ireland West Airport Knock, potentially attracting complementary businesses in component repair, training and aviation technology. The development’s scale and specialised nature signal that the west of Ireland is intent on competing for high-value roles in the global aerospace supply chain, rather than limiting its ambitions to point-to-point air services.

For EirTrade, the project represents a logical next step in its growth strategy, following recent transactions involving young-technology aircraft and the migration of more engine disassembly work to Knock. As the new facility comes online, the company will be better placed to manage larger asset portfolios, respond quickly to market demand and provide airlines and lessors with a one-stop solution that encompasses storage, maintenance, disassembly and parts distribution.

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the modest terminal at Ireland West Airport Knock is steadily being joined by an industrial landscape of hangars, workshops and warehouses. EirTrade’s planned expansion underscores how a regional airport on Ireland’s Atlantic fringe is positioning itself at the centre of a global network of aircraft, engines and parts, reshaping perceptions of what a small airport can achieve in the modern aviation economy.