NEARLY 30 jobs in Irish Helicopters Cork based operation are under threat because a contract to service the Kinsale gas field seems likely to go to a Scottish based company, writes Padraig Yeates, Industry and Employment Correspondent.
Last night the Irish Airline Pilots' Association called on the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, to intervene. "These Irish jobs are well paid, highly skilled ones which are effectively being exported", an IALPA spokesman said.
IALPA is also protesting because Aberdeen based Bond Helicopters does not possess an Irish Air Operators' certificate and therefore cannot legally operate in Irish airspace. However, Bond Helicopters has applied for a certificate and is expected to receive one.
For the past 18 years Irish Helicopters Ltd has provided services to Marathon Petroleum operations in the Kinsale gas field. IALPA and the other unions at Irish Helicopters the AEEU and SIPTU are to meet management on Thursday to review the situation.