EirTrade Aviation Maintenance has strengthened its aircraft transition and storage capabilities after securing three new international maintenance authorisations from the Bailiwick of Guernsey (2-REG), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) and the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA). The approvals further enhance the company’s ability to support airlines, aircraft lessors and operators with parking, storage and return-to-service programmes at its growing facility in Knock, Ireland West Airport.
The newly acquired approvals enable EirTrade Aviation Maintenance to carry out maintenance activities on aircraft registered under the three jurisdictions, all of which are widely used by aircraft leasing companies and operators for aircraft ownership, transitions and storage.
The latest approvals form part of EirTrade Aviation’s broader strategy to expand its line maintenance and asset management capabilities in response to growing demand from the global leasing and aviation aftermarket sectors.
According to Jim Maguinness, Quality Manager at EirTrade Aviation, the company identified an opportunity after observing that an increasing number of leasing companies and airline operators were choosing Guernsey, Cayman Islands and Bermuda aircraft registries for operational flexibility and aircraft transition programmes.
He explained that following the successful addition of Airbus A320neo (PW1100) and Airbus A330 aircraft to the company’s EASA Part-145 maintenance capabilities in 2025, EirTrade sought to further strengthen its service offering for airline and leasing customers by obtaining approvals from these internationally recognised aviation authorities.
To secure the new authorisations, EirTrade’s Compliance Monitoring and Safety Management team undertook a comprehensive preparation programme that included developing Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE) supplements, updating operational documentation, conducting staff training and certifying maintenance personnel.
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Following detailed desktop assessments and on-site regulatory audits, the company successfully received approvals from all three aviation authorities.
The authorisations include 2-REG.145.587, CAY-AMO-061347 and BDA/AMO/913, complementing the company’s existing EASA Part-145 approval (IE.145.092).
The new certifications have already translated into new business opportunities for EirTrade Aviation.
Maguinness revealed that shortly after receiving the approvals, the company welcomed two new aircraft into its parking and storage programmes, one registered under the Guernsey registry and another under the Cayman Islands registry. Both projects represent new customer relationships for the company.
The early success highlights the increasing importance of internationally recognised regulatory approvals in supporting aircraft transitions, lease returns and long-term storage programmes.
Expanded aircraft coverage
The approvals allow EirTrade Aviation Maintenance to provide line maintenance, aircraft parking, storage and return-to-service support for a broad range of commercial aircraft operating at its Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) facility.
The approved aircraft types include:
- Airbus A320 family powered by CFM56 and IAE V2500 engines
- Airbus A320neo equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G and CFM LEAP-1A engines
- Airbus A330 aircraft
- Boeing 737 Next Generation (-600/-700/-800/-900) powered by CFM56 engines
- Boeing 737 MAX 8, MAX 9 and 737-8200 aircraft powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines
The expanded capability positions the company to support a wide variety of airline and leasing customers across multiple aircraft platforms.
Lee Carey, Chief Investment Officer at EirTrade Aviation, said the latest approvals align with the company’s long-term vision of transforming its Knock facility into a specialised centre for mature aircraft management and transition services. He noted that EirTrade aims to create a centre of excellence on the island of Ireland capable of supporting airlines and aircraft lessors with comprehensive services throughout an aircraft’s lifecycle.
The company plans to continue investing in new maintenance capabilities, expanded service offerings and additional facility capacity to meet the evolving requirements of global customers.
The latest development reflects the increasing importance of specialised maintenance facilities capable of supporting aircraft transitions, lease returns and long-term storage as the global aircraft leasing market continues to expand.
With aircraft frequently changing operators, ownership structures and jurisdictions throughout their operational lives, demand for maintenance organisations holding multiple international regulatory approvals has grown significantly.
By securing approvals from three of the world’s most widely used offshore aircraft registries, EirTrade Aviation has strengthened its position as a strategic partner for lessors, airlines and asset managers seeking efficient aircraft transition, storage and return-to-service solutions within the global aviation aftermarket.
