A Look Around Aerostar's Romania Facility

The largest employer in the Romanian city of Bacau, Aerostar employs more than 2,000 people. The company celebrated the 65th year of operation this year, and in the past few years, has undergone a number of capacity expansions at its site.

Among its longest serving and biggest customers is Moroccan carrier Royal Air Maroc. Pictured is one of the airline's 737s undergoing a D-check. Over the past five years, the majority of its 397 commercial aircraft checks have been Boeing at 340, with the remaining 57 being Airbus aircraft.

One of the cargo aircraft, a 737-400 operated by Iceland's Bluebird Nodic, was in the hangar to undergo a full service over a 90-day period. One of these services included an engine change (pictured).

While the majority of its airframe work is for passenger aircraft, a quarter of its output in its commercial hangars is for cargo operators. 

Pictured is a Mig-21 training jet, typically flown by the Romanian Air Force. The aircraft is stripped out and overhauled over a 90 day period. Given the program's maturity, Aerostar will use technicians of greater experience to work on this aircraft.

Around 50% of Aerostar's output is the manufacture of aeronautical products. This includes structures, subassemblies, landing gears, hydraulic systems, ground support equipment, fixtures and tooling

The average age of Aerostar's workforce is 45 years old, the company estimates. Its efforts to attract young people into its workforce are ongoing and the company works with universities and technical schools in Bacau and the surrounding area. Last year, it took in 245 young employees.

Adding to its aircraft maintenance output, Aerostar hopes to obtain maintenance approval for the Boeing 737 MAX by the end of 2018. It has also invested in another commercial MRO center in the Romanian city of Iasi, scheduled for a mid-2019 opening. The four bay hangar will add further capacity to its A320 and 737 maintenance work.