After securing Republic Airways Holdings as the launch customers for its Embraer E-170/190 heavy maintenance Canadian MRO ExelTech Aerospace is seeking to broker deals with additional operators.
On 19 September ExelTech unveiled the agreement with Republic that covers up to 15 E-Jets flown by its subsidiaries Republic Airways and Shuttle America.
ExelTech vice president marketing and sales Donald Kamenz says the company is targeting all the E-Jet operators in North America. The largest include US Airways, JetBlue Airways and current customer Republic. Florida-based Jetscape in February announced and order for up to 30 E-190s with firm orders for 10 aircraft.
Kamenz says ExelTech has touched base with all those operators, and the company would like to have a second customer onboard by yearend.
Completion of the E-Jet heavy checks performed by ExelTech should take one-to-two weeks, says Kamenz, who notes a number of those aircraft are nearing the second stage of their maintenance cycles, which creates a business opportunity for the MRO.
As work continues to grow E-Jet heavy maintenance Kamenz cites high demand for turboprop aircraft. Two turboprop lines are available at ExelTech's facility in Quebec currently populated by Dash 8 aircraft operated by US Airways subsidiary Piedmont Airlines.
ExelTech is continuing work on a number of Saab 340 turboprops for a lessor planning to return those aircraft to the market.
The company cited a lag in CRJ maintenance in part for a fiscal first quarter loss of C$1.3 million. But Kamenz says even though a lot of attention has been placed on CRJ200 fleet cuts by North American operators, a significant number of aircraft pegged to be parked with need maintenance and the company is "starting to see that happen".
Addressing the recent departure of CEO Derek Nice Kamenz says he had grown the company during his tenure and "wanted to do something new".
In regards to CFO Roland Blais who is leaving the company on 30 September, Kamenz says he wants to get back into the financial sector.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
