China Southern Launches 5G for Maintenance Ops
China Southern Airlines announced that it has launched what it says is China’s first 5G private network for China Civil Aviation Maintenance. In July 2021 it launched an augmented reality remote technical support platform for its aviation maintenance operations in Chengdu based on 5G network support.

Kontron Opens IFEC Service Center
Inflight entertainment and connectivity provider Kontron has opened a new Part 145 certified European Repair Centre in Ismaning, Germany, which will offer repair, modifications and updates for its avionics products, including IFEC components, wireless access points and removable solid state drives. It says it will make further announcements about additional repair centers “in due course.”

Airbus, Diehl Partner on Touchless Lavatory Retrofits
Airbus and Diehl Aviation have announced plans to collaborate in offering touchless lavatory features for future aircraft retrofits and upgrades. The companies will offer a special conversion kit that they say will enable quick installation in all lavatories onboard A320 family and A330ceo aircraft. Airlines will be able to retrofit aircraft with the complete lavatory or individual features.

Bangkok Airways Signs Maintenance Training MOU
Bangkok Airways signed a memorandum of understanding with the Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC) to cooperate on jointly developing aircraft maintenance training programs. The airline says the collaboration will help CATC students develop aircraft maintenance skills through on-the-job maintenance activities.

STS Plans New U.S. Line Stations
STS Aviation Maintenance plans to open four new line maintenance stations in the U.S. this summer at airports in Rochester, New York; Traverse City, Michigan; New Windsor, New York; and West Palm Beach, Florida. It expects to add around 100 new employees as a result of the new line stations.

Zipair Plans Livery Update
Japanese low-cost carrier Zipair has announced plans to update its livery on its Boeing 787-7 fleet. It says the new design will be “renovated in two stages” starting later this month and aircraft with updated liveries will be introduced progressively between December 2022 and spring 2023.

Aer Lingus Launches 2022 Apprenticeship Program
Aer Lingus has launched its 2022 Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering Apprentice Scheme, under which it will hire 10 apprentices to complete classroom and on-the-job training at its hangar at Dublin Airport, working primarily on line maintenance. After completing the four-year program, apprentices will be fully qualified aircraft engineers and continue to work at the airline.

Philippine Airlines Plans Seating Retrofit
Philippine Airlines has selected the Recaro Aircraft Seating BL3510 economy class seat to retrofit 11 of its Airbus A320 aircraft. The new seats will be installed as part of its fleet modification strategy, which will involve switching cabins to a 180-seat configuration in place of the mixed 156-seat configuration it has previously operated on short-haul regional routes.

Ametek Singapore PTE Appointed Honeywell Authorized Repair Center
Honeywell has appointed Ametek Singapore PTE as a Honeywell authorized repair center for components on CF6-80, PW2000, PW4000, V2500, Trent 700, Trent 800 and Trent 900 engines. Ametek Singapore PTE says the agreement will strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific market.

Air Canada Upgrading A321-family Connectivity
Air Canada has selected Intelsat’s 2ku satellite connectivity solution to upgrade its Airbus A321ceo and upcoming A321XLR fleet. The retrofit installations on its 15 A321ceos will take place in Canada in early 2023 while the 2Ku satellite connectivity solution will be installed on the Airbus production line.