GKN Aerospace's aftermarket support division Fokker Techniek has completed a base check on an Air Europa Airbus A330, marking the Dutch firm's first foray into widebody heavy maintenance.
Although Fokker upgraded the cabin of an A330 in 2017, the base check on the Air Europa twin-aisle was the company’s first “major” maintenance event on a widebody, GKN says. The aircraft was redelivered to the airline earlier this month.
GKN adds that all necessary training, tooling and equipment has been acquired to support A330s at its Woensdrecht MRO facility, and that further projects on the twinjet have been secured.
GKN plans to service additional long-haul types, including the A350 or Boeing 787.
Fokker Techniek managing director Jeff Armitage states: “By entering the widebody market, new opportunities will arise. This will include stepping into the world of modern composite aircraft in the years to come.”
The MRO site previously concentrated on support for 737s, A320-family jets and regional aircraft from Bombardier, Embraer and Fokker, with a particular focus on legacy equipment.
Noting that it is “paramount” for Air Europa that MRO providers meet deadlines for overhaul events, the carrier’s maintenance and engineering director, Alberto Linés, describes the A330 base check as a “great job with very good planning and controlled execution”.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that Air Europa and Air Europa Express operate 21 737NGs, 10 787s, 12 A330s, 11 Embraer 195s and 11 ATR 72 turboprops.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
