Ryanair will set up a maintenance and repairs hub (MRO) in Malta following an agreement with the government that is projected to create 250 new jobs in the country.

In a press conference at Castille, Ryanair executives detailed how it will set up its MRO in Malta in October with 20 new positions. However, it envisages that as part of its phased development there will be 250 new jobs in the field.

“This is a vote of confidence of Ryanair in Malta,” one Ryanair executive said.

This will be the fourth MRO facility to be set up in Malta following Lufthansa, SRT Malta and Medavia. Enterprise Minister Miriam Dalli described the deal as a significant opportunity for Malta and is another victory for the aviation sector.

Prime Minister Robert Abela agreed, signalling the investment as another “important milestone” in Malta’s aviation industry. He said that the first phase of the investment is already underway after taking over a hanger at the Malta International Airport.

A new area will be identified for Ryanair to construct a hanger that will meet its needs for the MRO facility.

“By setting up an MRO, Ryanair will turn its operations in Malta to a complete service hub,” Abela said.

“Malta is becoming a centre of aviation excellence and we need to ensure that we maintain it.”

Ryanair has set up quite a base in Malta over the years, even setting up its own Malta-based offshoot Malta Air and registering several aircraft on the country’s register.

Ryanair’s MRO facility in Malta is the 12th of its kind across Europe.

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