Irish aircraft disassembly and MRO specialist EirTrade Aviation has obtained full planning permission from Mayo County Council to develop a major new operational facility at Ireland West Airport Knock, as reported by AviTrader. The approval marks a significant milestone in purpose-built industrial facility development, with design decisions directly relevant to FM professionals overseeing large-scale technical environments.

AviTrader reported that the new 10,500 m² structure will replace EirTrade's existing 2,100 m² site, representing a fivefold increase in operational footprint. The expanded facility will incorporate dedicated workshop and crating areas, high-bay very narrow aisle racking, bulk storage, and specialised engine storage, reflecting a considered approach to space planning within a complex technical environment.

Central to the construction is a new aircraft hangar capable of accommodating one narrow-body aircraft, configured to support airframe disassembly and MRO operations. The hangar's design underscores the importance of building configuration in enabling precision-led workflows across high-dependency facility types.

The facility has been designed to address specific airside and runway constraints at Ireland West Airport, illustrating the value of integrating operational requirements into the design brief from the outset. Sustainability is also central to the build, with plans for a high-performance building envelope and a large solar panel installation intended to exceed environmental and regulatory standards.

Steven Trowell, senior vice president – maintenance and disassembly at EirTrade Aviation, said the project builds on the company's relocation of its engine disassembly facility to Knock in November 2025, enabling consolidation of a broad range of services at a single location.

Explore the full details of EirTrade's Knock facility development and what it means for the sector.