Bombardier is confident that it will see major improvements in CRJ700 reliability this year, implementing initiatives to address outstanding reliability issues, improve its customer support operation, and expand European spares provisioning.
Bombardier acknowledged in January that it was unhappy with the CRJ700's reliability and planned further in-service modifications (Flight International 27 January-2 February). "This is the only major package we see a need for," says Bombardier vice-president and general manager customer services Jeff Mihalic. "Other modifications will be designed to be implemented during overnight maintenance."
Two new posts within the company's support operation have recently been created, says Mihalic. Martin Elliot has been appointed fleet leader CRJ700/900 and Andy Nureddin customer support director. "Martin has overall responsibility for CRJ700/900 reliability improvement initiatives, while Andy will focus on supporting customers and technicians," says Mihalic.
Elliot says the CRJ700 fleet is currently achieving a technical despatch reliability level of "a little under 98%". Mihalic says a "joint quality initiative" was set up with Lufthansa CityLine at the airline's suggestion, which has the aim of achieving a 99.5% schedule completion rate.
The manufacturer had identified last year that Brit Air had "particular difficulties with extended out-of-service times" and suggested a joint programme to reduce this, says Mihalic. "Within four to five weeks they had a 50% improvement...and there is more we can do."
Mihalic acknowledges that criticism of Bombardier's European spares stocks is valid, with levels at its Paris support centre only 60% of the planned amount. "We've increased this from 35% last October, and project that we will be at the planned level by mid-year," he says.
A broader reorganisation of the company's European support operation will see the spares centre relocate to Frankfurt next year to improve despatch times.
Source: Flight International
