British Airways has become launch customer for Boeing's Global Airline Inventory Network, a new service in which Boeing will manage the supply of expendable spare parts for the Boeing-built aircraft in the fleet.
The scheme is expected to be a "win-win" situation for the airline, airframer and most spares makers, says Boeing, which hopes to expand the network to include up to 10 major airlines. A second carrier, thought to be a European member of the Star Alliance, is tipped to sign "by the end of the year", says Boeing Airplane Services vice-president Darce Lamb.
Boeing is buying a small portion of British Airways' inventory as part of the deal, and will reduce the remaining part as the programme gathers pace. The US manufacturer says that the initiative is aimed at reducing the cost of inventory at the airline and the supplier level, by cutting out duplications in the distribution network.
Source: Flight International
