Press Release

Issued by Woodgate Aviation.

May 13, 2015

Northern Ireland aircraft charter company, Woodgate Aviation, has achieved a milestone in the construction of its new 33,000-sq ft hangar with the successful installation of a state-of-the-art hydraulic door. 

The company says the door, which runs to 35 metres, is one of the widest single panel hydraulic doors in the UK or Ireland and one of the largest in Europe.

The powerful hydraulic rams and electrics were the final pieces of the 'jigsaw' to be added before the first test could be conducted.

The giant door takes under a minute to fully open to reveal the cavernous interior which will have dedicated workshops, offices and luxurious accommodation for aircraft charter clients.

The £2 million privately financed project at Belfast International Airport is expected to be completed in mid-summer when aircraft maintenance functions currently carried out at Newtownards airfield will be brought under the one roof alongside aircraft charter and management.

Woodgate Aviation managing director, John Keen, was the first to press the button on the door and said the hangar represented an exciting new chapter in the company's 46 year history.

Mr Keen said: “The hydraulic door is a milestone in this project. Getting to this stage has been a story of international collaboration. For example, the steel 'skeleton' was engineered by an American company in Mexico. The construction firm is from Belfast and the hydraulic rams were manufactured and installed by a firm from Preston in England.

“We're delighted to now have the finishing line in sight. The hangar will make a huge difference to our business and take us to a new level of growth. 

“We've done some research and it is clear that the gigantic door we've just installed is one the widest hydraulic doors at any facility in the UK or Ireland. Our door works on the same principle as a carport, only on a much larger scale.

“Growth is very much on our agenda. We have some significant contracts and a private client base that is growing steadily. Woodgate Aviation is a leader in its field in the United Kingdom and this invesent will consolidate our position and enable us to expand into new areas and spheres of aviation-related activity within Europe.”