Athboy man lands airline deal in US

Skypaq, an Irish software company based in Mullingar, which was co-founded by Athboy man Richard McKenna, is increasing its global reach with a range of software solutions that significantly reduce maintenance and related process costs for airlines. The company, which is opening a US office, has just secured a long-term contract with US-based airline Omega Air. Omega Air has successfully deployed the solution across its Boeing fleet and benefits from significant cost reductions and operational improvements. Mr McKenna, CEO of Skypaq, said: “This contract and the new office in the United States provide Skypaq with a perfect opportunity to cement a market leading position in the US similar to the one already enjoyed in Europe. Skypaq software solutions significantly reduce an airlines costs and, in these times, that's essential.†Commenting on Skypaq's export growth strategy, John Corrigan, sales director, said: “It's a very exciting time for the company as we are also in the final stages of contract negotiations with other major US airlines. We are actively raising investment to finance this expansion and create more employment within Ireland.†Skypaq has developed a unique regulatory-approved software framework based on an electronic technical log that integrates flight operations and technical services which brings substantial cost savings and efficiencies to an aviation organisation. The aircraft technical log is the primary source for technical and operational data on each flight that occurs on an aircraft. Data recorded includes defects, malfunctions, block times and fuel consumption, as well as all maintenance carried out on an aircraft between scheduled base maintenance visits. Data recorded by the technical log is then dispersed throughout the aviation organisation, thus becoming essential to the continuous operation of the business from accounts to aircraft maintenance.