GA Telesis Engine Services (GATES), an engine maintenance division of GA Telesis, has signed a new cooperation agreement with Naples-based Atitech, a provider of line and heavy maintenance services.

The two MROs have joined forces to provide Atitech customers with global turn-key solutions for activities outside Atitech’s capabilities, such as engine reviews and overhauls. The first two engines covered by the agreement, CFM56-5Bs, have been shipped to GATES in Helsinki, Finland, for review and full performance restoration. 

"The agreement with GATES highlights and strengthens Atitech's ability to provide highly integrated and value-added services to its customers,” says Giovanni Lettieri, president and CEO of Atitech.

Lettieri stresses that the partnership aids the stable and long-term relationships with his customers that are critical to the heavy maintenance business. “We are dedicating significant resources to further developing our ability to offer advanced and complex services to our customers."
Russ Shelton, president of engine strategies at GA Telesis, says Atitech is a new type of partner for GATES.

GA Telesis has supported other airframe MROs with parts, part repairs, and other activities in the past. But the GATES link with Atitech offers a new way to satisfy operators and lessors with innovative solutions. “Cooperation with Atitech will show that the union of two MROs contributes to bringing greater benefits to the end customer." 

Mauro Francazi, director of business development for GA Telesis's asset trading group, also sees Atitech as an “ideal MRO to develop a fruitful and long-lasting partnership.” Francazi sees more opportunities for cooperation, beyond just having GATES do engine overhauls for Atitech customers.

He cites “other forms of cooperation, such as the dismantling of aircraft that are now to be retired, the painting of aircraft and all the activities that are necessary when, at the end of a rental, an aircraft switches from one operator to another."