Posted:
EirTrade Aviation's aircraft and engine disassembly facility, the only in Ireland, has been awarded the AFRA Diamond Level KPI status in recognition of its application of best management practices.
Knock, Ireland West Airport – 29 September 2026: EirTrade Aviation’s expanding airframe and engine disassembly facility in Knock, Ireland West Airport, has been certified to ‘KPI-Diamond’ status by AFRA (Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association). This accreditation recognises the application of best management practices in accordance with AFRA’s standards and was introduced with the intention of it being an elite level of competence based on the high quality of data gathered.
Steven Trowell, Senior Vice President – Maintenance & Disassembly at EirTrade Aviation, explains that in the aviation industry it is essential to have the right approvals and certifications to instil confidence in customers. “At the Diamond standard, data is gathered for each asset, so it doesn’t matter if it is one engine or twenty aircraft, the level of detail and monitoring is the same. It’s a team effort.”
EirTrade’s disassembly and line maintenance facility is expanding rapidly, with the Company seeing an exponential increase in the number of aircraft and engines coming in for redelivery following the maturity of a lease and teardown. This has coincided with several initiatives focused on training and recruitment. Trowell is responsible for building an expert team and empowering them with the knowledge and qualifications to deliver efficient turnaround times.
“As the only teardown operation in Ireland we have a huge responsibility to reassure our customers, in the airline, lessor and Used Serviceable Material (USM) community, that we meet the highest standards in Europe. We’re running this established capability alongside our Part-145 line maintenance services, so Knock is fast becoming an aviation hub of interest to technicians and maintenance engineers,” he says. “Our focus on sustainability and the circular economy through aircraft disassembly supports the recovery, reuse and recycling of valuable aircraft components and materials, contributing to a more resource-efficient aviation industry.”
This view is supported by several factors that reveal why Ireland West Airport Knock is strategically positioned for aircraft disassembly and line maintenance expansion.
Knock’s position on Ireland’s western seaboard offers a potential gateway for aircraft movements between Europe and North America, as well as a reliable aircraft redelivery location within the European Union (EU). The airport’s government-backed Strategic Development Zone includes provision for 44,000 m² of aviation-related development, including aircraft maintenance, repair and associated services. The established aviation infrastructure incudes a 2,511-metre runway and dedicated aviation development land which provide a foundation for further expansion.
Government-supported airport upgrades and a planned €35 million-plus infrastructure programme for 2026–2028 will support the airport’s long-term development. The aim is to cement Ireland’s position as a major international aircraft leasing hub creating opportunities to serve aircraft owners, lessors and operators throughout the aircraft lifecycle.
Trowell continues “The combination of aircraft disassembly, line maintenance, storage and lease-transition services that EirTrade offer deliver opportunities for operational efficiencies and diversified revenue. We believe that our expansion will attract further aviation investment, create highly skilled employment and support the development of a specialist aerospace cluster in the west of Ireland.”
Read this press release as a PDF here.