Australian MRO Sets Up In Europe

Heston MRO's initial services in Europe will include components support and asset management services.
Credit: Heston MRO

Having expanded throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region since its rebranding 2019, Heston MRO has continued its growth by announcing plans to set up its first operation in Europe.

Heston MRO Europe will be based in Lithuania and will offer components support and asset management services to airlines operating narrowbody aircraft covering Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Future plans include setting up additional local European warehouses along with AOG support and logistics teams across the continent, while adding new services to mirror its offering in Australia. Heston MRO cites engineering services, engines solutions and other technical support services as likely future offerings.

“It has always been in our plans to expand geographically beyond our home region in Australasia, following the actual needs of airline customers and asset owners,” says Asta Zirlyte, CEO of Heston MRO. 

Zirlyte says the faster pace of post-COVID recovery in the northern hemisphere “repositioned” the company’s strategic goals and accelerated the decision to expand into Europe. “We have established our presence in Europe to capture the local MRO opportunities driven by the recovering travel,” she adds.

Heston MRO Services has built a steady growth path since its rebranding from Aircraft Maintenance Services Australia by parent group Heston Aviation. 

The company now operates Australian maintenance bases in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Coolangatta.

Despite COVID-19 impacting Australia's aviation industry, the MRO has continued to add customer partnerships.

Earlier this month, Heston extended its existing MRO agreement with Singapore Airlines to service the airline’s flights from Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth for a further three years. The new terms cover Boeing 777, 787, and Airbus A350 and A380 aircraft types, along with 747 freighter aircraft.

The scope of services includes full handling of aircraft transits, defect rectification, local warehousing and logistics support.

James Pozzi

As Aviation Week's MRO Editor EMEA, James Pozzi covers the latest industry news from the European region and beyond. He also writes in-depth features on the commercial aftermarket for Inside MRO.