AFI KLM E&M, Triumph To Form Nacelles MRO JV

The new JV will be based at Triumph’s existing repair facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Credit: Triumph Group

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and Triumph Group have announced plans to form a joint venture to overhaul nacelles for next-generation aircraft in the U.S.

The new JV will be based at Triumph’s existing repair facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas and will specifically cater for customers in the Americas. While not disclosing any specific aircraft types, it adds a new service line to the facility, which has a volume of more than 230,000 sq. ft. At the site, Triumph offers repair services for items including fan reversers, inlet cowls and fan cowls.

The announcement builds on an existing partnership unveiled in June 2019 at the Paris Air Show. At the time of the announcement, both parties said the scope of the partnership would be “wide ranging” and include services such as MRO, spares pooling, efficient trans-regional coverage, and repair development for aerostructures and engine nacelles for some new generation aircraft.

“This close collaboration will strengthen our global network of subsidiaries and joint ventures supporting operators worldwide…,” says Johann Panier, SVP business development and strategy at AFI KLM E&M. His counterpart at Triumph, William Kircher, who is the company’s executive vice president for its Triumph Systems and Support unit, adds that the JV will “create momentum” for both companies as the wider industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

James Pozzi

As Aviation Week's MRO Editor EMEA, James Pozzi covers the latest industry news from the European region and beyond. He also writes in-depth features on the commercial aftermarket for Inside MRO.