Component Control has announced that Aero-Parts Connections, a supplier of safety and emergency equipment, has begun to use its Quantum MRO and Logistics software to support its new sister company, Aviation Inflatables. Both Aero-Parts Connections and Aviation Inflatables will use the Quantum software to fulfill contracts with Delta Airlines.

Qantas says the Airbus A380 that was badly damaged following an uncontained engine failure in November 2010, VH-OQA, is finally due to return to service in March. The cost is covered by insurance. The repairs are being carried out at an SIA Engineering Co. (SIAEC) facility in Singapore. A team of up to 40 Airbus employees is doing the work, with support from Qantas Engineering and SIAEC. Repairs began in May 2011, and are expected to cost A$135 million ($139.75 million). In early 2011, Qantas said the aircraft would fly again by the end of that year.

Leki Aviation has signed a spares distribution, repair and overhaul agreement with Shimadzu Precision Instruments. Leki will provide extended sales and marketing for Shimadzu under this agreement and will put an exchange pool of frequently used components in Copenhagen to support the company.

The call by carriers to standardize composite training certification, techniques and material mounts by the minute, with the Boeing 787 an operational fait accompli, and the Airbus A350 XWB waiting to take wing.

Etihad Airways selected the GEnx-1B engine to power 10 additional Boeing 787 aircraft and has signed a 15-yaer OnPoint solution agreement for engine MRO. Etihad also ordered two GE90-powered Boeing 777 freighter aircraft. The list price for the GEnx and GE90 engines plus the OnPoint agreement is valued at more than $900 million over the life of the agreement. Etihad Airways has finalized engine sale and lease back deals worth $367 million with Mubadala Development Corp.'s Sanad Aero Solutions and Ireland's Engine Lease Finance Corp. (ELF).

Oakenhurst Aircraft Services has opened a dedicated oxygen system workshop at its headquarters in Rayleigh, U.K. Oakenhurst is adding this repair station to other oxygen systems repair and overhaul shop in Boryspil, Kiev, to keep up with increasing demand. The new workshop will provide repair and overhaul capabilities for fixed oxygen systems, portable oxygen systems, oxygen masks, regulators, smoke hoods and passenger service units. The workshop will provide hydrostatic testing and repair and overhaul as required.

STS Component Solutions has appointed Armando Barroso to its team as director, business development for engines, APUs and landing gear. Barroso has more than 26 years of aerospace experience in marketing, sales, engineering, asset management and process improvement. Airframes

AFI KLM E&M and Lybian operator Afriqiyah Airways have resumed their cooperation after a year hiatus in their contract due to political events. The 2008 contract between the two entities has been reactivated following an amendment signed in November. The agreement continues to involve pool access and component repairs for the Libyan carrier's A320 and A330 fleets. It also includes maintenance checks on these aircraft. Afriqiyah's fleet parked at the Tripoli International Airport had been damaged during hostilities.