Airliner World – April 2018

The latest

news from

maintenance,

repair and

overhaul

providers

82 AIRLINER WORLD APRIL 2018

MRO

Lighter

Cabins

Fort Worth, Texas-based GDC Technics is

claiming that the latest VVIP configured

Boeing 787-8 it is completing for an

undisclosed customer, weighs 20% less

than originally forecast. The aircraft, one

of two jets being modified, features a luxu-

rious head-of-state cabin configuration

that, the company said, integrates cutting-

edge technologies with the latest materi-

als and engineering solutions.

Features on board the aircraft include an

ARINC 791 Ka-band antenna (an industry

first for a VVIP 787) as well as other com-

munications antennas, external looking

cameras and the capability to broadcast

live television, another first for the type.

Additional sound insulation has been fit-

ted for a quieter cabinand humidification

helps to provide a better passenger experi-

ence during long-haul flights.

Mohammed Alzeer, General Partner of

GDC Technics, remarked: “The 787 pro-

ject is a testimony to the success of our

strategy of focusing on developing new,

innovative engineering and production

techniques. We want to ensure that the

cabins we design and build match the

next-generation of aircraft we install them

in. The interior weight of this 787 is 20%

lighter than originally specified, providing

our clients with operational advantages

and fuel savings throughout the life of

their aircraft.”

Fleet Support for Braathens

Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA) has

signed a three-year fleet support services

contract with BAE Systems Regional

Aircraft for the 12 Avro RJs it oper-

ates. The scope of the deal includes the

renewal of a long-standing ‘JetSpares’

customised rotatable spares rate per fly-

ing hour support agreement, for which

the airline was the launch customer back

in 1996. The new contract covers 640

parts per aircraft over the 12-strong fleet

(ten RJ100s and two RJ85s) and is for

a minimum of 38,000 fleet flying hours

across a three-year period.

In addition, the two companies have

signed a contract covering rate per flying

hour for the Honeywell GTCP36-150M

auxiliary power units (APUs) that are fit-

ted to eight of the RJ100s. BRA has also

extended its long-term ‘Tech 21’ agree-

ment with BAE Systems under which the

manufacturer provides priority technical

support services via a dedicated engineer

to ensure timely responses to technical

issues. (Photo Airteamimages.com/

Serge Bailleul)

Icelandair

Expands

Partnership

Monarch Aircraft Engineering (MAEL)

has concluded an expanded mainte-

nance

commitment from Icelandair. The

Reykjavik-based carrier, which has been

a MAEL customer since 2003, has

signed a contract covering the heavy

maintenance check on a fifth aircraft, a

Boeing 757, at the company’s London/

Luton facility. This

latest deal follows on from the check

carried out on Icelandair’s 757 freighter

last November and will follow the

second of three 767-300 maintenance

visits that are currently ongoing. Since

becoming an independent entity last

October, MAEL has announced several

new agreements with airlines that also

include Virgin Atlantic Airways, China

Airlines, Wizz Air and La Compagnie.

Andy Lowi, Business Development

Manager for MAEL commented: “We are

extremely pleased that Icelandair have

awarded MAEL this additional heavy

maintenance check. They are a highly

valued customer and this commitment

Airbus A380 Base

Maintenance Support

Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) has

signed a five-year agreement with Asiana

Airlines for Airbus A380 base main-

tenance services. Starting in March 2018

and running through to 2022, the MRO

services provider will be carrying out a

total of 14 checks on the South Korean

airline’s super jumbo fleet.

Dong Jun Shin, General Manager Aircraft

& Supplies Purchasing of Asiana Airlines,

commented: “We are happy for this

opportunity to further strengthen our

long-term relationship with LTP. During

previous checks on our A380s, LTP has

performed very well, which ultimately led

to our

decision to award this latest contract.”

Asian Airlines currently operates a fleet of

six A380s, which over the next five years,

are scheduled to undergo light to heavy

maintenance checks. In addition, LTP has

been tasked with carrying out alterations

on the aircraft’s doors, flap tracks, wing

tips, engine feed fuel pump systems as

well as other structural modifications.

The first A380 under this new contract is

scheduled to arrive in Manila towards the

end of March.