Aer Lingus and University of Limerick announce new partnership aimed at advancing aircraft maintenance research

Aer Lingus today announces a new partnership with the University of Limerick (UL) aimed at advancing innovation in aeronautical engineering. In collaboration with UL, Aer Lingus will be sponsoring a select number of Maintenance & Engineering (M&E) employees in pursuing a Master of Engineering by Research in UL’s Faculty of Science of Engineering.

This initiative underscores Aer Lingus’ commitment to fostering a research-driven environment that combines academic expertise with real-world industry experience. The programme will focus on both fundamental and applied research, with priorities including the publication of findings and strengthening collaboration across the aviation industry.

Research will focus on M&E operations, efficiency and safety. Participants will utilise academic expertise and industry sources and their own industry experience to explore methods that could be practically applied to the areas of:

• Human-centred Automation in Airline Maintenance Control Centres
• Maintenance and Continuing Airworthiness Management Resource Allocation in Airline Operations

Joseph Ryan, Director of Engineering, Aer Lingus, said: “This collaboration between Aer Lingus and UL is a meaningful step toward advancing innovation in airline maintenance, while empowering employees to shape the future of aviation through research and education.”

Associate Professor Kyriakos Kourousis, Director of Postgraduate Research & Education at the Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Limerick said: “This collaboration empowers Aer Lingus engineering professionals to drive research that enhances safety, efficiency, and sustainability in aviation.”

Professor Kenneth Stanton, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Limerick, said: “We are delighted to be working with Aer Lingus on this new master’s programme which will strengthen the link between UL’s research expertise and industry needs while shaping future-ready graduates for the Irish aviation sector.”