Lufthansa Technik's Irish division Airmotive, threatened with closure last year, has secured a future as an overhaul site for International Aero Engines V2500s.

Ireland's enterprise minister Mary Coughlan formally stated today that the Dublin Airmotive plant would be the subject of a $40 million investment programme - supported by the Government - to acquire new technology and improve business processes.

The decision follows a productivity agreement reached with workers at the plant in April 2009.

Coughlan says: "This is a hugely significant win for Ireland, given the strong competition which we faced from other overseas locations within the Lufthansa Group.

The V2500 work will replace maintenance on older Pratt & Whitney JT9Ds.

Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland employs 470 personnel. Managing director Wolfgang Moerig says: "Embracing the new technology that the V2500 represents is a major step in keeping [the plant] at the technological forefront in a global and most competitive market."

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news