MRO

Ireland,25th Nov 2024: Alliance Aerospace, as part of the Alliance Aviation Group, has been awarded EASA Part 145 approval from the Irish Aviation Authority. The accreditation bolsters capabilities at its 3000m2 FBO Hangar facility located at Westlands Apron, Dublin Airport (EIDW), Ireland. The process of approval was completed within six months. With helpful assistance from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Alliance Aerospace was able to establish the required procedures, equipment and personnel required to attain the approval. It can now provide MRO/AOG Support services from its Dublin base to General Aviation customers. Initially targeting the Gulfstream family of aircraft, this EASA Part 145 approval augments Alliance Aviation Group’s extensive portfolio of services, which includes CAMO support, aircraft management, aircraft charter, hangarage, ground handling and trip support services, plus technical assistance, all whilst operating to the highest quality safety standards. Brendan McQuaid, Alliance Aviation Group CEO commented: “We are delighted to achieve this Part 145 approval which usefully extends our range of capabilities to our base clients. It enables us to expand our offering to other GA customers also from our base here in Dublin. I am most grateful to our stellar team at Alliance Aerospace who worked so hard to achieve this approval.” Mick Conlon, Technical Director Alliance Aerospace, commented: “This latest approval will strengthen and enhance Alliance Aerospace’s services from our facility in Dublin. In attaining this we have become the first engineering business here to offer line maintenance on Gulfstream type aircraft. Whilst we are currently Gulfstream G650 approved, we are planning to add additional Gulfstream, Bombardier and Dassault Falcon type ratings to our approvals in the near future. We look forward to offering first class, quick and efficient scheduled and unscheduled line maintenance support to all our customers.” Liam Murphy, FBO Regional Manager Alliance Aviation Group, stated: “This approval is another milestone achievement for our ever-expanding facility in Dublin. Having developed our FBO and Ground Handling capabilities over the last 18 months, achieving this Part 145 status permits us to expand further and position ourselves to deliver a full service FBO package to existing and potential new clients.”

Astana, 7th Nov 2024: Air Astana has become the first Kazakh carrier to carry out a heavy maintenance 12-Year C-check, which was conducted on an Air Astana Airbus A321 aircraft. “Our successful completion of the first heavy maintenance 12-Year C-check on an Airbus A321 serves to confirm the sophisticated and growing capability of Air Astana’s engineering resource and staff” said Robert Dando, Director Astana Technical Centre and C-Check maintenance. “The ongoing commitment to develop in-house maintenance strength has significantly reduced costs previously incurred when heavy maintenance tasks were undertaken outside Kazakhstan.” During the 12-Year C-check, comprehensive in-depth inspections and tests were conducted on all parts of the aircraft. The aircraft is systematically stripped down and a full inspection of the aircraft structure and components is performed, including inside the fuel tanks. The use of non-destructive testing methods are used to achieve some of these inspections. Major components such as the engines were removed for the inspection of their attachments and structure. After completing these tasks, the aircraft was rebuilt, and then extensive system tests were carried out. After all maintenance is complete, a maintenance check flight is performed to ensure everything if functioning correctly, from flight controls to in-flight entertainment, and then the aircraft can be released for passenger operation. The Airbus A321 that underwent the 12-Year C-check has been flying in Air Astana’s fleet since 2012. The company plans to perform another 12-Year C-check by the end of this year. Air Astana was approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency to conduct 12-Year C-checks on Airbus A320/A321 aircraft in 2023. Air Astana performed its very first 1C-check in 2019, the first 2C-check in 2022 and the first 6-Year C-check in 2023, and in total Air Astana has now completed 32 C-checks in-house.

Gurugram, 28th October 2024: Air India has received the Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) designated as CAR 21 approval. A significant milestone, this will enable Air India to independently make design changes in-house and implement modifications to its aircraft interiors more efficiently. Air India is the first airline in India to attain this level of authorisation, accelerating its ability to execute restoration tasks for continuous improvement of its fleet. The approval was handed over to Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India by D.C. Sharma, Director General, DGCA on 25 October 2024 in the presence of other senior officials of Air India and DGCA, the civil aviation regulator. Air India had earlier entered a collaboration with Tata Technologies, a global engineering and product development digital services company, to enhance aircraft interiors in its fleet aligned with the CAR 21 approval for aircraft modifications. The DOA is a transformative step towards enhancing Air India’s in-house capabilities, which has been bolstered by decisions to set up its own engineering, maintenance and training facilities. This will enhance operational efficiency and make the airline more self-reliant. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India said, “India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory and Air India is playing a leading role in it. The approval reaffirms our capabilities to maintain our fleet and commitment to enhance customer experience of our aircraft interiors. The collaboration with Tata Technologies will help us meet customer expectations, aligning with our broader goals of operational excellence and self-reliance.” Warren Harris, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Technologies, speaking on the collaboration with Air India, said: “Our partnership with Air India represents a significant step forward in redefining air travel experiences through innovation and strategic engineering. By leveraging our global aerospace expertise, we are committed to delivering next-generation aircraft interiors that not only meet the highest standards of functionality and safety but also enhance customer satisfaction. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to engineering a better world and supporting the advancement of the Indian aviation sector.” The partnership will streamline Air India’s operations by integrating innovative digital thread solutions and smart Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. This will improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure that Air India’s fleet remains fit to fly, further enhancing passenger safety, comfort and operational reliability.

Liebherr-Aerospace and Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering announce the signature of a three-year agreement covering the maintenance of heat transfer equipment on board the Airbus A320ceo/neo fleet of EGYPTAIR. The contract also covers the Airbus A320ceo/neo fleets of other airlines, which are presently supported by Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering. The goal: Customers shall benefit from fast response and shorter turn-around-times as well as Liebherr’s Original Equipment Manufacturer experience. Cairo (Egypt), September 2024: Liebherr-Aerospace and Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering have recently signed a major heat transfer maintenance services agreement. Over the next three years, Liebherr and Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering will jointly provide maintenance and re-coring services of heat transfer equipment that is on-board the Airbus A320ceo/neo fleet operated by EGYPTAIR and other airlines that have a standing MRO contract with EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING. The re-coring and major repairs will take place at the workshops of Liebherr Aerospace Saline, Inc., in Michigan (USA), already for several decades Liebherr’s center of excellence for heat transfer equipment MRO services in the Americas. By providing localized support and reducing dependency on external services, EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING is positioned as a key player in driving operational efficiency for airlines, especially within Africa and the Middle East. With reduced turnaround times and enhanced responsiveness, this partnership ensures that EGYPTAIR is at the forefront of delivering world-class maintenance solutions, tailored to the specific needs of its global clients. “We are delighted to be working with EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING, one of the leading providers of MRO services in aviation,” commented Alex Vlielander, Chief Customer Officer of Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS. “This agreement sets out the framework of a win-win partnership for both parties that will allow us in particular to further develop our repair network.” “We are very happy to work with Liebherr-Aerospace to support our fleet of A320ceo/neo and the fleets of our customers that we already take care of under already existing maintenance contracts,” added Eng. Ibrahim Fathy, Chairman & CEO of Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering. “Liebherr provides a high level of performance and flexibility. They understand and meet our and our customers’ requirements.” Fathy added that Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering will leverage Liebherr’s OEM expertise to reinforce its leadership in MRO services by undertaking a critical role in the repair process. With its advanced facilities in Cairo, EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING will be responsible for executing major non-welding repairs, performing minor repairs, and conducting all test procedures to ensure the highest standards of quality and reliability. This strategic collaboration not only enhances EGYPTAIR’s technical capabilities but also enables it to deliver highly efficient and timely services across its expansive MRO network leading to widening our customer base and driving business growth.

Sepang, 26th Sept. 2024: Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) arm of Capital A, celebrated the grand opening of its latest 14-line MRO hangar on Thursday. This new landmark facility marks a significant milestone as Malaysia’s largest and most advanced MRO hangar, underscoring ADE’s commitment to leading the MRO industry in Asean. Covering an area of more than 380,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility spans 20.25 acres within the KLIA Aeronautical Support Zone 1 (ASZ 1) under Malaysia Airports’ KLIA Aeropolis development. The hangar features dedicated workshops, including a Composite Workshop, Sheet Metal & Machine Workshop, Upholstery Workshop, Cabin Interior Repair Workshop, Oven & Boiler Workshop, and a 3D Printing Lab for aircraft livery. Additionally, it houses a Digital Product Development Centre, positioning ADE as one of the most extensive MRO providers in the region. At the event, the Malaysia Book of Records recognized the new facility with three prestigious national records: Longest Single Span Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) System Rafter, Longest Locally Designed Single Span Truss Frame System, and Longest Vertical Hangar Door (Megadoor). These honours highlight the architectural and engineering excellence of the facility, setting it as a benchmark in the industry and highlighting Malaysia’s growing prominence in the global aerospace sector. This recognition celebrates the innovation and dedication behind the MRO facility, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s aviation history. Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, said, “We are incredibly proud of ADE’s achievement. The new hangar is not just a facility; it represents our vision for the future of MRO in Asia with our ambitions to disrupt and become the leading provider in South East Asia and beyond. In just four years since ADE’s inception, we have built the competencies and facilities necessary to become a leader in this segment. With Malaysia’s strategic location and our investment in cutting-edge technology, ADE is set to revolutionise the MRO landscape, offering innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions in the region. This facility will enhance our capability to provide top-notch value and services to AirAsia and other airlines. This growth is also crucial in supporting AirAsia’s ambitious goal of operating 300 aircraft within five years. This milestone firmly places Malaysia on the map as a world-leading MRO provider.” Subashini Silvadas, CEO of Capital Aviation Services (CAPAS), said, “The launch of ADE’s 14-line hangar is a pivotal moment and marks a significant milestone for ADE, our MRO business and the broader CAPAS portfolio companies. As we continue to expand our services which includes Santan (inflight catering business), Darts (back office shared services business), and upcoming ground handling business, we remain steadfast in our commitment to safety, innovation and excellence. Our vision is to establish CAPAS as Asia’s leading aviation service provider, delivering exceptional service, and value to our clients, exceeding the standards of the industry.” Mahesh Kumar, CEO of ADE, added, “The completion of this hangar is perfectly timed to meet our growing demand for MRO services. We will be completing our 200th C-check this year with initially seven lines, and the addition of up to 14 lines will significantly expand our capacity to serve more clients. This landmark facility not only enhances our capabilities but also creates at least 500 new jobs in Malaysia, attracting local talent and foreign investment. We are committed to nurturing aviation professionals and setting new standards in the MRO industry. This hangar is a testament to our team’s dedication and continuous support from partners.” To leverage its ongoing expansion, ADE is conducting soil testing on a five-acre plot adjacent to its new MRO hangar, with plans to build a supplementary four-line facility in line with strong forecast demand. Additionally, ADE is in discussions with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad to acquire an additional 20 acres within the KLIA area for development as a premier MRO centre. With over 20 years of engineering experience servicing the world’s best low-cost airline AirAsia, ADE is extending its expertise and best practices in airline engineering to attract more third-party airlines. Services include component support, line maintenance, and base maintenance for various aircraft models, such as the Airbus A320 and A330 families, as well as the Boeing 737 family, with plans to expand capacity to service other aircraft types in the future. ADE has recently received EASA’s Part 145 Maintenance Organisation approval and Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) approvals in seven other countries with plans to expand to other countries in the region. In 2023, ADE secured USD 100 million investment from OCP Asia Ltd., gaining significant boost for the next phase of growth.

Farnborough, July 23, 2024: Safran Electrical & Power has been selected by Boeing to provide the electrical power generation system for the X-66 flight demonstrator, part of NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. Safran Electrical & Power will also support ground and flight tests, slated to start in 2028. The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator is part of NASA’s broader Sustainable Flight National Partnership, which is dedicated to developing the technologies needed to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions for commercial aviation. Boeing’s X-66 program is focused on developing the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) concept, which could enable significant improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions for future single-aisle aircraft. This electrical power generation system consists of a variable frequency generator and its associated control unit, integrating the most advanced technologies developed by Safran Electrical & Power. It has been adapted to integrate directly on the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine and provides more than 100kW of electrical power. This modern system features an unmatched weight and efficiency, and enables a reduction in hydro-mechanical losses of close to 50%, resulting in significant fuel burn and carbon emission savings. “We are very honored to further expand our thriving partnership with Boeing under this NASA program, and to develop breakthrough technologies for the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator. Safran Electrical & Power is thrilled to be collaborating with Boeing, NASA and other industry partners to drive innovations and to embrace latest advancements in technologies aiming to achieve our industry-wide goal of zero-emissions,” said Bruno Bellanger, executive vice president of Power division at Safran Electrical & Power.

Colombo, 25th April 2024: SriLankan Airlines has transformed Aircraft Maintenance with the recent integration of AMOS, a next-generation ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)solution for Aircraft Engineering and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) management by Swiss-AS. By automating the monitoring and coordination of aircraft maintenance with AMOS, SriLankan Airlines aims to boost engineering productivity, reduce costs and maintain quality and consistency in MRO operations. “SriLankan Engineering is excited to collaborate with Swiss-AS and adopt the ground breaking AMOS NewGen MRO System. The integration took several months to complete given the complexities of transitioning data from our legacy system to the advanced AMOS platform. With this transition, we anticipate modernizing our operations, achieving greater efficiency, and ensuring that we maintain our aircraft and safety standards to the highest degree,” affirmed Head of Engineering at SriLankan Airlines, Arjuna Kapugeekiyana. “Implementing the AMOS NewGen MRO System is a crucial step towards realizing our digital vision. We have further integrated the AMOS mobile/EXECMobile add-on to maximize the overall value of the project with seamless, paperless operations such as electronic work instructions and digital sign-offs that streamline unnecessary time-consuming tasks. I would like to congratulate the SriLankan Airlines Project Team who led this transformation together with Swiss-AS,” added Group Head of Information Technology of SriLankan Airlines, Chamara Perera. The AMOS platform comes with multiple sophisticated features and data visualization functionalities that allow for precise inventory management and cost-effective practices. Accurate calculations and scheduling of maintenance work will enable SriLankan Engineering to effectively manage aircraft maintenance limits in alignment with flight schedules. The system also allows SriLankan to proactively plan manpower and material resources for maintenance activities, reducing Aircraft on Ground (AOG) occurrences as well as maintaining optimal inventory levels. The AMOS mobile/EXEC software extension additionally empowers engineers and technicians of SriLankan Airlines to perform aircraft dispatch functions; request parts; check on fleet status; and carry out line and base maintenance tasks through a touch-optimized app, replacing paper-based with a digitized workflow.

Distinguished Visionary and a Pro Aviator, Esteemed Business Leader,on the forefront of Asset Management with Unmatched Precision. Aviation World Magazine has featured him in the front cover alongwith his interview which highlights the USP of his company and how they are the preferred partner of their customers. Q: Tell us about the journey of AirFleet Managers. How it started and what was the vision? A: At this stage, I would like to give the Background of the founding members, Pallavi Joshi (C.E.O.) and Myself (Technical Director) Pallavi comes from an A.M.E. background and has worked with various airlines in Quality and engineering departments, I hold FAA Licence and have worked with various operators around the world as a qualified engineer working on a wide variety of aircraft i.e.B737, B747, B757, B767, MD10, MD11 L1011 to name a few. Our journey as AirFleet Managers started in the year 2010 when we wanted to establish something in India after our 14-year-long tenure in at foreign land.With a futuristic vision of Pallavi Joshi who sensed the vacuum in the market at that time for the Technical Consultancy Services. During those years (2010/11), we realised that there is a real dearth of quality Technical Consultancy Service providers in India in the field of Aviation Asset Management. The technical consultancy field was predominated by foreign nationals and there were not many people from our country who were involved during that period. Lessors were facing great difficulties in finding local Consultants and positioning someone from Europe or America was a huge cost to them. India being an ever-growing aviation market, there was potential for more aircraft entering into service in India and the demand for local companies to provide professional services was sensed. With the thought of supporting lessors by providing them solutions which will be as per industry standards and cost-effective, AirFleet Managers came into existence. The journey started with me working, on the technical side as a Technical Consultant and Pallavi taking care of all the finances and contracts/agreements. During the initial years, there were several challenges and constraints which are normal and we can define them as teething problems, which were eventually resolved with the experience we gained and implemented the same into our business. Initially, we were working as subcontractors and eventually got our first direct contract in 2011 from Aircastle. The Aircastle technical team were impressed by the quality of services we were providing, which helped us in building trust (it will be worth noting, that we are still the preferred consultancy company for Aircastle since 2011). Pallavi & I had a very clear vision since the beginning – AirFleet Managers should stand as one of the leading technical consultancy companies by providing honest and unbiased services to lessors/banks or owners of aircraft. We didn’t want to be number one in terms of volume but in terms of standards and quality of services we provide to our clients and I feel we have achieved this in the last 10 years of our journey. To make AirFleet Managers a better place to work and have good collaborative relations with our clients, we follow some of the basic rules which have been in force since the beginning and are still followed. These rules have helped us to become what we are today – “The Dependable Team”: * Always be honest with all the stakeholders in a project. * Deliver on time. * Give more than what you take. * Deliver on commitments. Q: What are the current business verticals of AirFleet Managers? Also, brief us about your global presence. A: Today, AirFleet Managers is the trusted partner for providing asset management services to many of the tier-one leasing companies around the world., We provide a wide range of services to leasing companies, banks and owners of aircraft. Our services include, but are not limited to – * Pre-purchase inspections. * Lease Negotiations. * Records Digitisation & Management. * Records Review. * Maintenance Reserves Management. * Mid-Term and Annual Audits. * Engine Shop Visit Management. * Engine and APU Management. * Heavy Check Oversight. * Redelivery Check Management. With just a home office in Delhi in 2010, AirFleet Managers now have a global presencewith offices inIndia, Ireland, Singapore & Malaysia. We opened our first office on foreign land i.e. Singapore in 2017, the second one at Dublin (Ireland) in 2019 and Malaysia in 2023. Our team is always ready to travel around the globe at very short notice from our clients. So,the whole world is our home. So far,our team have carried out multiple projects in diverse nationalities by delivering successful services in over 56 countries. Q: Aviation Sector is growing in India at a very fast pace. As an Aviation Technical Consultancy, how do you see this both as an opportunity as well as a challenge? A: We would say, an “Opportunity”. It’s time for India to be the world leader in Aviation, with huge orders coming from Indian operators, there is a great potential for growth for the ones who are ready to take this upcoming wave in their stride. There are a lot of players today in the market but not many have the experience that is required to manage the complexities of Technical Aircraft Asset Management. The Lessors need a dependable partner to look into the minute details which leaves them with the opportunity to look at other critical areas of Leasing. The ability to work with little or no supervision is what benchmarks us against our competitors. Coming to “Challenge” We can safely say, that AirFleet Managers are geared up to take this challenge. We have over 40 in-house consultants working with us and our team is growing day by day. Expansion plans are already chalked out and our management is working diligently to cater for all the requirements arising in future. We are adding more manpower, futuristic software as well as more capabilities to offer our clients in the coming days. Q: Brief us about the new