A coalition of European companies is poised to launch a new product-focused maintenance support service initially aimed at the Airbus A380, when the European Commission gives the go-ahead.
The agreement between the four corporate partners to set up the new OEM Services company, which will initially offer only A380 users maintenance, support and logistic services, was completed by the end of October. The new Toulouse-based organisation's backers, Diehl Avionik Systeme, Liebherr Aerospace, Thales Avionics and Zodiac In-Services, expect it to become a legal company once it passes EC competition law hurdles, possibly by the end of November. Its creation is a reflection of the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry's consolidation and the combined resources will give its participants a global reach they have previously not had.
"The reason why we have gone for a joint venture approach is simply because the price would be prohibitive for a standalone business. The A380 is a massive programme and requires extensive work around the world. OEM Services is our response to this," says Thales vice-president of worldwide avionics services Mark Barclay. He believes other aircraft lines could benefit from this type of services approach. Another 20 original equipment manufacturers have expressed an interest in joining, according to the group.
The October agreement and EC competition approval process follows the four inaugural shareholding members signing a memorandum of understanding in April of this year.
* Air France Industries is setting up an MRO centre for the A380's GE-PW Engine Alliance GP7200 engine in Paris, which will form part of the powerplant manufacturer's MRO network. Air France has 10 GP7200-powered A380s on order and expects to have GP7200 overhaul capability from 2007.
ROB COPPINGER & AIMEE TURNER / TOULOUSE
Source: Flight International
