Air India and GE Aviation have signed a deal that makes the carrier's maintenance facility in Mumbai a certified centre for the engine manufacturer's GEnx-1B powerplant.
Under the GE Branded Services Agreement (GBSA), GE will provide technical support as Air India offers maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. India's national carrier will be licensed to perform MRO work on the GEnx-1B, while GE will provide Air India with assistance on overhaul workscoping and component repair licenses, comprehensive material support and training.
The GEnx-1B engine will power the 27 Boeing 787 aircraft that Air India has ordered, which are expected to join its fleet starting in 2011. However, both companies say that this is not part of any offset requirement related to that deal. Instead, it is a partnership that allows them to tap on each others' competencies, especially since the Mumbai facility will only be the second worldwide to come under the GBSA, they add.
"Air India has been overhauling jet engines for more than four decades. During this time, Air India has handled various jet engine models and has acquired expertise in overhauling jet engines at low cost while maintaining high standards of quality," GE and Air India say in a statement.
"The facility not only caters to the entire widebody aircraft of Air India consistently, but also carries out third party work for customers situated all across the globe."
The total investment in the facility will come up to $90 million over the next five years, with GE contributing $20 million to it. The facility will grow in phases as demand for the maintenance and overhaul of the engines increases, say the companies.
Air India chairman Arvind Jadhav says that the agreement will allow Air India to develop the expertise to service engines from South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Having the GE brand attached to the facility will add value to the facility, and allow it to promote itself more aggressively when it comes to third-party work, he adds.
"Air India envisages a state-of-the-art facility catering to GE90 and GEnx engines, including a new engine test facility. Our strong collaboration with GE will enhance the visibility of the facility in the world and will result in India becoming one of the major engine MRO players. Further, advanced repair technology will also come to the country by way of this agreement," he adds.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
