KLM Cityhopper, the regional arm of the Netherlands’ flag-carrier, is returning to service four Embraer E195 E2s that have been parked for more than 18 months due to engine issues.
The aircraft were “cocooned” in 2024 at Twente Airport, in the east of the country, following problems with engine availability for the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney GTF powerplants.
The grounding was caused by insufficient MRO capacity at Pratt & Whitney. “It is not an engine issue as such, but a maintenance issue,” a KLM spokesperson explained at the time.
“Due to the previous powdered metal issue, the interval for maintenance has been shortened, and so the capacity of their shops is insufficient to deal with the sheer number of engines that are being offered for maintenance.”
While parked for such an extended period, the aircraft were encased in a “cocoon.”
Before the aircraft went into long-term storage at Twente, engines, auxiliary power units (APUs), and batteries were removed. The aircraft were then completely wrapped in special film to protect both the exterior and interior from weather and other external factors. The wrapping process took six weeks.
To return them to service, the protective cover is removed, the wheels installed, and the aircraft prepared for initial testing. The aircraft then undergoes a comprehensive check and an airworthiness inspection. Various modifications are also being implemented, including the installation of Wi-Fi. This process takes approximately two months, after which the aircraft are fully available again for operations.
The last two Embraer 195 E2s at Twente Airport are expected to return to service this autumn.
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