MRO News Briefs, Feb. 23-29, 2020

Airbus Royalty Fee

Aviation Week reached out to Airbus to see if it was still considering a change to its royalty fee structure, which sparked debate in the second half of 2019. Its comment: "Airbus is in stakeholder discussions about the data royalty topic, and therefore at this time the existing announced position still stands." Airbus says all details about the discussions are confidential.

AJW, El Al Sign PBH Agreement

AJW Group has won a long-term power-by-the-hour (PBH) contract with Israeli carrier EL AL Israel Airlines. The PBH support will cover EL AL’s fleet of 26 Boeing 737NG aircraft via AJW inventory hubs in the UK, Germany, Israel as well as at other European line stations in the EL AL network. 

C&L Aerospace Bolsters ATR Parts Inventory

C&L Aerospace has purchased a package of ATR inventory consisting of over 1,400 line items from Intertrade, which will be stocked at the company’s warehouses in the UK and Bangor, Maine. C&L says the parts will be used to support its ATR support programs and bolster its existing inventory, which includes items from seven ATR teardowns completed in the past 18 months.

Spairliners, Emirates To Work On A380 Parts MRO

Emirates and Spairliners, the AFI KLM E&M and Lufthansa Technik joint venture, have signed a general terms agreement to provide component aftermarket solutions for the airline’s Airbus A380 fleet.

SalamAir Opts For Commsoft Software

Oman-based regional carrier SalamAir has chosen Commsoft’s OASES engineering and maintenance platform. The agreement will see SalamAir use several modules implemented on Commsoft’s private cloud, including core, airworthiness, planning, materials, line maintenance control and warranty modules.

Test Stand Contract Signed at #MROME

Magnetic MRO’s e-store for engine stand services, EngineStands24, signed a five-year contract with Rhinestahl CTS for the maintenance services for its stands. The deal could be valued at $12-25 million over the five-year contract, based on the number of stands that EngineStands24 manages, says Brandon Lafferty, Rhinestahl director of aftermarket services. EngineStands24 manages 230 stands now and is growing that figure 25% annually.

Agreement Signed For Inflatable Hangar

AJWA Aviation Services signed an agreement with Buildair on Feb. 25 at MRO Middle East for one inflatable hangar that could accommodate an Airbus A320-size aircraft or two Gulfstreams. AJWA Aviation Services will use the inflatable hangar to protect VIP aircraft from sun at Riyah International Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Safran Nacelles Bolsters Repair Services

Safran Nacelles has entered into a long-term agreement with French MRO Sabena Technics for its Go Team support services. The contracts covers support and services for Safran Nacelles’ product range, with Sabena covering a scope of on-wing nacelle repairs.

Ivorian Airline Pens Sitaonair Connectivity Deal

Ivory Coast carrier Air Côte d’Ivoire has extended its relationship with inflight connectivity partner Sitaonair across its new fleet of A320neo aircraft. The deployment, due in September 2020, will see Onair Wi-Fi over Inmarsat’s GX Aviation network.

Jordan Airmotive Tests First CFM56-5B Engines

Jordan Airmotive has successfully tested its first five CFM56-5Bs after repairing them, according to Chief Commercial Officer Walid Rihani. “More engines are on their way to be inducted to shop very shortly,” Rihani adds. Meanwhile, the MRO’s application to CFMI for a license for CFM56-7Bs has been approved, and the process is already started for provisioning of necessary tools, equipment, spare parts and upgrading the test cell and trainings.

SIA Engineering Enters Another JV

SIA Engineering has entered into a joint-venture agreement with Air Innovation Korea to form a line maintenance company based in South Korea. SIA will hold an equity stake of 51%, with the Korean partner taking the remaining equity in the venture, which will have an initial registration capital of S$5.6 million. The partnership supplements Air Innovation's wholly-owned subsidiary Aero-K Airlines' A320ceo and neo fleet inventory technical management program, for which SIA will supply component pooling as well as repair and overhaul management for six years.