Rolling Updates November 2022

Nov. 29

IndiGo Inaugurates New MRO Facility

IndiGo has inaugurated it second MRO facility at Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore. The 13,000 m² (approximately 11,000 ft.²) facility can accommodate up to two narrowbody aircraft simultaneously, and also features a quick engine change shop, warehouse, and repair and maintenance engineering offices.

TUI Signs E-Jet Pool Program Contract

TUI Group has signed an Embraer Pool Program contract to support its fleet of E195-E2s, which will be delivered in the first half of 2023. Under the contract, TUI will have access to component exchanges and repair services for more than 340 reparable parts and interchangeable parts.

Nov. 28

Lufthansa, Epcor APU Maintenance Contract

Lufthansa signed an exclusive contract with Epcor for support of the APS5000 auxiliary power units on its Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Under the agreement, Epcor will provide all warranty repairs on the APS5000s, including an availability solution.

AEI Receives Indonesian Freighter STC

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has approved the supplemental type certificate for Aeronautical Engineers Inc.’s (AEI) Boeing B737-800SF freighter conversion. AEI has also gained approvals for the conversion from regulators in the U.S., Europe, UK, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, China, Canada, Brazil and Malaysia.

Nov. 23

China Cargo Airlines, LHT Extend Component Contract

China Cargo Airlines has extended its component contract with Lufthansa Technik (LHT) for support of Boeing 747-400 and 777-200 freighters. Under the 15-year contract, LHT will support the airline from its component service offices Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Hamburg.

Dublin Aerospace Begins Recruiting Drive

Dublin Aerospace has announced plans to hire 106 new staff at its base maintenance facility at Dublin Airport and its new landing gear facility in Ashbourne, Ireland. It is looking to hire a variety of maintenance positions, including technicians and mechanics, B1 and B2 certified engineers, sheet metal workers, electricians and other roles.

Nov. 22

Regional Jet Center Adopts AI Inspection Tech

Regional Jet Center, a Netherlands-based MRO specialized in Embraer aircraft, has adopted Aiir Innovations’ artificial intelligence-powered technology to enhance engine inspections. It will use the software for borescope inspections on General Electric CF34-10 and -8 and Pratt & Whitney PW1900 engines.

TAG Aero Signs Icelandair APU Agreement

TAG Aero has signed a long-term agreement with Icelandair to provide repair and overhaul services for the GTCP331-200 and GTCP131-9B APUs installed on its fleet. It will provide services from its new facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Nov. 21

Chinese Cargo Carriers Signs Two LOIs

Jiangxi International Cargo Airlines has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Chinese MRO provider Ameco for Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 aircraft maintenance services. The cargo carrier has also signed an LOI with Bireturn to implement a maintenance management system.

Cathay Pacific, HAECO Sign Maintenance Agreement

Cathay Pacific and HAECO have signed a 10-year framework agreement for the provision of MRO services. The agreement consists of maintenance and related services for aircraft, engines and components.

Nov. 18

Lufthansa Technik Aero Alzey CF34 Agreement

Lufthansa Technik Aero Alzey has signed a five-year maintenance agreement with Finnair and Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra) for MRO of CF34-10 engines operated by Norra. Finnair says the agreement provides it with pre-defined engine shop visit packages to support its operation and maintenance cost optimization long-term.

Skyways Technics Gains UK CAA Certification

Danish MRO provider Skyways Technics has been certified by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) to release and distribute UK-registered aircraft and parts in its global network of workshops.

Nov. 17

Avianca, Safran Nacelles Sign Service Agreement

Safran Nacelles has signed a four-year agreement to support the nacelles of Avianca’s Airbus A320neo aircraft, which are equipped with CFM International LEAP-1A engines. Safran will provide services at its nacelle repair station in Indianapolis.

AEI Gets Malaysian Approval For Freighter Conversion

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia has approved the supplemental type certificate for Aeronautical Engineers Inc.’s (AEI) Boeing B737-800SF freighter conversion. AEI has also gained approvals for the conversion from regulators in the U.S., Europe, UK, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, China, Canada and Brazil.

Nov. 16

Virgin Australia, GE Sign CFM56 Overhaul Agreement

Virgin Australia and GE Aerospace have signed a 10-year TrueChoice overhaul agreement for services for CFM56 engines powering the carrier’s Boeing 737NG aircraft fleet. GE says that all TrueChoice offerings are supported by GE data and analytics capabilities.

GAMECO, Thales Sign Industrial Collaboration Agreement

Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (GAMECO) and Thales have signed an industrial collaboration agreement. GAMECO says that both companies will work together on aircraft component repair services.

Nov. 15

EPCOR Appoints New Managing Director

AFI KLM E&M subsidiary EPCOR has appointed Heidi Haveman as the new managing director of the company, effective Jan. 9, 2023. Haveman has more than 20 years of commercial, operational, consultancy and management experience both within KLM and outside of the airline. Dominik Wiener-Silva, current managing director, will take over the position of VP component services in Amsterdam.

Gulf Air, MTU Maintenance Sign MoU

Bahrain-based carrier Gulf Air and MTU Maintenance have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for MRO services for V2500-A5 engines powering the carrier’s Airbus A321ceo aircraft fleet. The four-year agreement consists of comprehensive MRO services, LRU support, engine trend monitoring, on-site services and spare engine support for the carrier’s A321ceo aircraft.

Nov. 14

MENA Technics Establishes New MRO Facility

MENA Technics has established a new regional MRO facility in Bahrain, covering both commercial and private jets. The facility is a collaboration with NextGen Aviation Services and has already gained Part 145 EASA approval for base maintenance.

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Receives CAAC Approval For PW1100G-JM

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai has recently received an approval certificate from the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) for PW1100G-JM engines. As a result of the latest certification, the company now can perform disassembly, assembly and testing services on PW1100G-JM engines. It has already received similar approvals from regulators in the U.S. and Europe.

Nov. 11

HAECO Signs CF34-10A Engine Agreement

HAECO has signed a GE Branded Services Agreement enabling it to perform OEM-standard MRO services for CF34-10A engines, which power the COMAC ARJ21 aircraft family. It expects to begin providing engine services for global operators in 2024.

CTS Engines Strengthens Executive Team

CTS Engines has appointed Bill Kircher as executive vice chairman and Randy Mengel as chief operating officer. Kircher, who joined the company's board of directors in 2021, has previously held several executive leaderships within various aerospace companies. Mengel, who has more than 30 years' industry experience, previously worked at StandardAero.

Nov. 10

SA Air Works Gets Avionics DOA Approval

SA Air Works has become India’s first avionics company to receive Design Organization Approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation under CAR 21. Under the new approval, SA Air Works—a joint venture between Air Works Group and Scandinavian Avionics Group—can now define or create avionics-related design procedures, such as supplemental type certificates and repair schemes, without needing to outsource to third parties outside India.

Wencor Signs Aftermarket Distribution Agreement

Wencor has been chosen as the exclusive distributor of Korry Electronics’ full range of human-machine interface solutions for the commercial aftermarket, including switches, annunciators, control panels, knobs and data concentrators. Under the multi-year agreement, Wencor will offer expanded rotable and retrofit solutions to operators.

Nov. 9

Wencor MRO Facilities Receive Quality Certifications

Seven of Wencor’s MRO facilities have received ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board AS9110 certification: Absolute Aviation, Accessory Technologies, Aerospace Coating International, Fortner Engineering, PHS Aviation, Silver Wings Aerospace and Soundair Aviation Services. Wencor says recent acquisition Aviatron will also start the AS9110 certification process.

SA Air Works Gets Avionics DOA Approval

SA Air Works has become India’s first avionics company to receive Design Organization Approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation under CAR 21. Under the new approval, SA Air Works—a joint venture between Air Works Group and Scandinavian Avionics Group—can now define or create avionics-related design procedures, such as supplemental type certificates and repair schemes, without needing to outsource to third parties outside India.

Nov. 8

Epcor Wins APU Maintenance Contract

China Eastern Airlines signed an exclusive contract with Epcor for support of the APS5000 auxiliary power units on its fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Epcor says the agreement—its first with the airline—expands it customer base in the fast-growing Chinese market.

China Southern, Collins Aerospace Extend Support Agreement

China Southern Airlines and Collins Aerospace have extended their 10-year component support agreement to 15 years. The extended agreement adds support for Collins’ Integrated Drive Generator and generators for multiple aircraft platforms, including the Airbus A320neo, Boeing 787 and Comac ARJ21.

Nov. 7

AvEx Adopts Envision Software

Aircraft painting specialist Aviation Exteriors Louisiana has chosen Envision software from Rusada to manage its new line of heavy maintenance activities, which it introduced in July. It will use the software to manage the planning, assignment and execution of maintenance tasks.

China Eastern, P&W Renew Engine Maintenance Contract

China Eastern Airlines has renewed its engine maintenance contract with Pratt & Whitney for more than 100 V2500 engines powering the carrier’s 50 Airbus A320ceo family aircraft. The agreement consists of engine MRO, spares support and diagnostic and engine monitoring. Pratt & Whitney will provide the services at Shanghai Engine Centre.

Nov. 4

FEAM Breaks Ground On New CVG Hangar

FEAM has broken ground on its new widebody hangar at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The $40.2 million hangar will be completed by the end of 2023 and FEAM plans to create 200 new aircraft maintenance positions to support its operations.

Vallair Acquires A320s For Teardown

Vallair has purchased two Airbus A320s from Aviation Capital Group for teardown at its facility in Montpellier, France. It plans to process the aircraft at the end of the year, making parts available in the first quarter of 2023.

Nov. 3

LHT Unveils Hydrogen Aviation Lab

Lufthansa Technik has unveiled the decommissioned Airbus A320 it is transforming into the "Hydrogen Aviation Lab," a field laboratory to test maintenance and ground processes for future hydrogen-powered aircraft. It will begin installation of hydrogen components in the coming months, including a full suite of test systems, an internal tank for liquid hydrogen and an onboard fuel cell.

ATEC Elects New President

The Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) has elected James Hall as its new president. Hall, who is dean of WSU Tech's Aviation Program, has previously served as ATEC's treasurer and vice president. He succeeds Ryan Goertzen, who will continue as founding director and president of ATEC's sister organization, Choose Aerospace.

Nov. 2

Premium Aerospace Center Plans New Oklahoma Headquarters

Mexican MRO provider Premium Aerospace Center has signed an agreement to establish international headquarters at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port complex in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. It plans to renovate and expand two existing hangars and build a third that will accommodate Boeing 737-sized and larger aircraft for painting and interior remodeling. It hopes to eventually create between 450-600 new jobs at the facility.

AAR Announces Sustainability Milestones

AAR announced in its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance Report that it had decreased energy use by 10% and emissions by 9% this year compared to 2021. Other new sustainability initiatives across its businesses include replacing lighting, HVAC and tug systems with more efficient products; incorporating recycling programs; and installing greener water systems.

Nov. 1

AEC Obtains Cabin Closet Installation STC

Aerospace Engineering Solutions has received a supplemental type certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for the installation of forward cabin closets on Boeing 737-800 family aircraft. It developed the modification in partnership with Causeway Aero, which entails seat track mounted underpin coat stowages to the forward left- and righthand cabin area.

Robotic Skies Launches AAM Maintenance Software

Robotic Skies has launched its new cloud-based SPAN software platform to manage and track customers' advanced air mobility and unmanned aviation systems service and repair projects. The platform is powered by Continuum Applied Technology's Corridor software platform. It will roll out access to the software at beta Robotic Skies Service Centers in the first quarter of 2023.ulkhead and aircraft painting. The MRO provider has worked with the Jeddah-based carrier since 2018.

Photo credit: Gregor Schlaeger/ Lufthansa Technik AG