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Aviation Sector Celebrates 26,000 Jobs and 4bn Euro Economic Input with FlightFest

30 Jul 2013

The aviation industry will celebrate its contribution to the Irish economy, which includes 26,000 jobs and €4.1billion input to the Irish economy with FlightFest, a once-in- a-lifetime, international aviation flypast through Dublin city centre.


Scheduled to take place on Sunday 15th September, this free family event is the brainchild of the Chief Executive of the Irish Aviation Authority, Mr Eamonn Brennan.

CLICK HERE to view interview with Eamonn Brennan Chief Executive Irish Aviaition Authority on FlightFest.

“We in the IAA believe that it is important to highlight the significant role the aviation industry plays in Ireland. Research shows that 26,000 jobs are supported directly by aviation with a further 16,000 in the supply chain,” he said.


A recent Government policy document on the sector highlights that aviation also contributes €4.1 billion to Ireland’s GDP comprising €1.9bn directly from aviation, €1.3bn through the supply chain and €0.9bn from associated spending by people employed in the sector. Tourism depends on aviation and it accounts for a further €5.3bn in GDP and 180,000 jobs.

FlightFest is being brought to the capital by the Irish Aviation Authority, Dublin City Council, and The Gathering Ireland 2013, with the support of key sponsors and event partners.
Mr Brennan said that Ireland currently manages over 90% of the traffic using the world’s busiest air corridors.


“The world’s largest airlines and the companies responsible for half of the world’s aircraft leasing are all based in Ireland and they contribute over €400m in tax, with a similar amount paid by firms in the supply chain for the sector. So we are coming together to contribute to The Gathering of Ireland and to bring people together to celebrate the aircraft and the industry,” Eamonn said.


Over 30 aircraft will fly through the city of Dublin as part of the Gathering Ireland 2013. They will set off from Dublin Airport, into Dublin Port and up along the River Liffey, as far as the Customs House. The sustained flypast through Dublin city centre will take two hours to complete and the flights will be sequenced at five minutes intervals.


FlightFest will be a free family event. A large section of the quays will be pedestrianised, with many family attractions and festivities available, contributing to a carnival atmosphere that will showcase Irish aviation.

Large commercial aircraft from Ireland and abroad will take part in the fly past, including the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320, A321, A300, A330 and A340 aircraft . The Irish Air Corps and the Royal Air Force will also participate and spectators will enjoy a variety of helicopters and vintage aircraft such as the famous Vulcan XH558, B-17 Flying Fortress and Catalina PBY-5A Flying Boat. All of the major Irish airlines are supporting FlightFest, including Aer Lingus, Ryanair, CityJet, Air Contractors, and Aer Arann (Aer Lingus Regional), as well as international airlines such as Ethiad Airways.

www.flightfest.ie

For press and media enquiries:

Contact David Curtin on +353 86 28 32 123


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