Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance will maintain General Electric GEnx engines for WestJet as the Canada-based airline aims to streamline maintenance and maximise availability of its Boeing 787-9 aircraft for flights across oceans.
The letter of intent signed on 10 April between WestJet and AFI KLM E&M is the first major contract between the two groups. AFI KLM E&M since 2017 has applied its Prognos predictive maintenance system to analyse data collected from aircraft including 787 aircraft to make maintenance more efficient by removing parts for MRO service before they need urgent repairs and avoid unscheduled maintenance.
WestJet began revenue flights of its 787-9 aircraft in February between Toronto and Calgary and plans to begin flights between Calgary and London Gatwick on 28 April. The carrier also aims to also offer flights to Dublin and Paris with the 787 aircraft.
WestJet has three 787-9 aircraft in service and seven more on order, according to Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer. The airline also has options to order an additional 10 aircraft between 2020 and 2024.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
