Australian maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) firm John Holland Aviation Services (JHAS) is investing in aircraft painting facilities to win more heavy maintenance work.
JHAS' Melbourne base has painted aircraft before but it is now investing in more equipment such as fans and screens, says a JHAS official.
This is so it can paint aircraft within its widebody hangar while also doing heavy and line maintenance work on other aircraft in the hangar, he says.
In the past, the MRO firm had to refrain from using the hangar for maintenance checks while an aircraft was in for painting, says the official.
This was less of a problem - when JHAS was less busy with work - but now that has more airline customers, it needs to get full use of its widebody hangar, says the official, adding that this hangar can fit three 767s simultaneously.
Having painting capabilities is important because some airline customers want to have paint work done while the aircraft is in for a heavy check, says the official.
JHAS says the new painting service will begin at JHAS' Melbourne base in early 2010.
"This major new investment is part of our strategy to deliver a comprehensive set of aviation maintenance services," it adds.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
