Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson has set up the specialist aviation firm, Cardiff Aviation Ltd, which could see the creation of up to 1,000 jobs in South Wales, This is South Wales reports.

The Business Minister Edwina Hart said: "The Welsh Government has been working closely with Bruce Dickinson and Cardiff Aviation on this exciting project for some time and we are delighted it has come to fruition. This is exactly the type of investment needed which will create hundreds of well-paid skilled jobs in one of our key sectors."

The first clients
The first clients will be announced this month and are likely to include the maintenance of Boeing 737 aircraft. The first Boeing 747 simulator has been purchased and is due for delivery in June.

Fantastic support
"We've had fantastic support from the Welsh government – we've been impressed by how pro-active they've been; they've really wanted to make this happen, and we've experienced a level of enthusiasm and drive that has been a delight to behold," Bruce Dickinson said.

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"We're coming into this enterprise with the knowledge that we'll also be bringing business to South Wales – a cautious projection is that we'd expect to create up to 1,000 jobs within 18 months based on the level of interest and commitment from aircraft manufacturers and operators.”

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"South Wales has long had an association with the aircraft industry and I am delighted that I am able to play a small part in the continuation of that tradition,” Dickenson concludes.

"We have a strong dynamic aerospace sector in Wales and this investment will build upon the skilled workforce that already exists in the area, providing a range of career opportunities. This is a flagship operation and provides a great start for the new Aerospace Enterprise Zone," Business Minister Edwina Hart said.