SINGAPORE—Recognizing the potential of providing MRO services for ATR turboprop aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region, Collins Aerospace is introducing component exchange services for the aircraft’s 568F propeller in Malaysia.

The facility will eventually become the first in Asia-Pacific to offer full repair services for the propeller. 

Initially the center will only offer exchange of parts and local assessment of hardware preservation and condition, while repair and major inspection will still be carried out by Collins facilities in Europe. Collins told Aviation Daily that Malaysia will develop more inspection and repair services locally within two years. 

The Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database shows that across the Asia-Pacific region—excluding China—there are 276 ATR 42s and ATR 72s in service, and another 49 on order. Indonesia has the highest number of ATR turboprops of any country in the region with more than 70 of the aircraft in service there. 

“In the next decade, the ATR fleet is poised to enjoy significant growth in the Asia-Pacific region and we’ll be there to support the increased demand,” Collins Aerospace’s Propeller Systems aftermarket director Nicolas Lérisson said. “These new, local MRO services will bring faster exchanges and reduced transportation costs to our airline customers—ultimately supporting more efficient operations.”