Eleven companies named in online catalogue of audited maintenance organisations
Airbus launched its global maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) network last week, naming the 11 companies that will take part.
The manufacturer's executive vice-president customer services Patrick Gavin says that because its core business is not in providing MRO services, it would be more cost-efficient for the growing number of customer airlines that do not want to do their aircraft maintenance in-house to make use of approved MROs with years of experience in that business.
Gavin says Airbus customers often seek its advice on where to go for outsourced maintenance. Because the manufacturer does not intend to be an MRO organisation, it hopes to fulfil customers' needs by providing an online catalogue of audited, approved and monitored maintenance organisations and their capabilities.
Customers that definitely want this level of guidance and provision are the small emerging airlines, says Gavin, but also low-cost carriers that want guidance combined with freedom of choice, and "legacy airlines" that are outsourcing more of their maintenance.
Companies in the Airbus network include:
* North America: Air Canada Technical Services and US West Coast-based TIMCO Aviation Services;
* Latin America: TACA Aeroman;
* Europe: EADS Sogerma Services, Iberia Maintenance and Engineering, Sabena Technics, SR Technics and TAP Maintenance and Engineering;
* Asia: SIA Engineering and Singapore Technologies Aerospace;
* Australasia: Air New Zealand Engineering Services.
Gavin says talks are in progress to extend the network, with more MRO organisations expected to be announced "within months rather than weeks", hinting that companies in South America and Asia are likely contenders.
Airbus stresses it is not trying to influence the MRO marketplace, insisting that if airlines wish to place their work with MROs outside the network, its support for these companies will be at the same level as for network MROs.
DAVID LEARMOUNT/TOULOUSE
Source: Flight International
