Ryanair Shannon expansion approved by Clare County Council

Following Clare County Council's approval for Ryanair's €50m plan for Shannon Airport, this clears the way for the airline's largest aircraft maintenance base in Ireland.

According to the plan, a Ryanair Engineering Academy for up to 80 trainees is also added, as builders are due on site early next year.

Starting next year and finishing by 2031, the goal is to qualify 400 mechanics.

The latest comes amid younger workers weighing their options in the country.

In Ireland, as a recent poll showed, 7 in 10 young adults would consider leaving the country to seek a better life.

A similar backdrop is also formed by Budget 2027 talks about costs of living, including hints the fuel excise cut will stay.

Tied to the new facility are more than 400 high-skilled jobs, while on top of that total, the Engineering Academy adds further apprenticeship places.

The move, as per Ryanair's chief operating officer, Neal McMahon, builds on years of investment at the airport.

He said: "This major new facility will not only increase Ryanair's aircraft maintenance capacity at Shannon but will also include a new Engineering Academy, which will train the next generation of engineers with dedicated training facilities for up to 80 apprentices, training over 400 mechanics between 2027 and 2031".