Dublin Aerospace Group is bringing back MRO jobs to Exeter Airport after the collapse of regional airline Flybe in March. The company has established a new maintenance organization called Exeter Aerospace in the location of the former Flybe Maintenance Services and is looking to hire for 100 new positions, with intentions to increase staff  as aircraft start flying again during aviation’s recovery.

“We are thrilled to have made Exeter the home of our first UK MRO center,” says Conor McCarthy, chairman and CEO, Dublin Aerospace Group. “The availability of the hangars and workshops there, combined with a phenomenal pool of local aviation and engineering talent, makes this a hugely attractive location for us.”

Its goal is to have more than 250 aviation professionals working at Exeter Aerospace over the next 3-4 years. It also plans to establish aircraft engineering apprenticeship and aircraft mechanic traineeship programs in partnership with the UK government and Exeter College.

McCarthy says Exeter Aerospace’s employment model will include flexible “annualized hours” to accommodate the high degree of seasonality in aircraft overhaul and the company will also apply its profit sharing approach for its team, which pays 10% of profits to team members every quarter.

According to Dublin Aerospace Group, the new MRO center will complement its existing overhaul facility in Dublin, which specializes in Boeing 737, Airbus A320 and A330 family aircraft. Exeter Aerospace will specialize in Embraer 170/190 regional jets, Bombardier Dash 8/Q400 and ATR 72 turboprop families. The group provides APU and landing gear overhaul services in addition to base maintenance.

Looking forward, Exeter Aerospace plans six aircraft overhaul bays at the new facility in addition to a range of support shops and test facilities.

“Already we have acquired all of the tooling and equipment we require for these aircraft types and have taken possession of the modern and purpose-built Exeter hangars and workshops,” says McCarthy. “We are now in the process of applying for UK CAA and EASA approvals for Exeter Aerospace and have already commenced hiring our initial group of aerospace engineers and technicians.”