Batam Aero Technic inks MRO and knowledge transfer pacts

Lion Air Group’s MRO arm, Batam Aero Technic (BAT), has signed agreements with five companies covering maintenance, in-flight entertainment, and knowledge transfer.

With Airbus, the manufacturer will provide flight hour services (FHS) on A330-900s operated by Lion Air and Thai Lion Air.

The agreement with AirFi Indonesia focuses on installing streaming-based in-flight entertainment on Lion Air Group-operated aircraft. The system is expected to be operational in 2020 and will allow travellers to conduct online transactions.

Honeywell will provide component reliability and technical support, encompassing performance monitoring and with a preventive action mechanism in place.

Pratt & Whitney will offer technology transfer for BAT’s engine shop in Batam. Lion Air Group says the engine business has great potential, and the deal would raise efficiency in engine maintenance while also improving its skills and capabilities.

BAT will also work with Victor Enterprises, an authorised distributor for ExxonMobil, in the supply of engine oil where it would analyse ways to optimise engine performance.

“These agreements will have a positive impact for the various parties, while also raising [our] aircraft maintenance market share, with hopes of boosting the national aviation industry and marketing its services overseas. BAT also has a commitment for Indonesia’s aviation industry to succeed,” says BAT’s president director I Nyoman Rai Pering.

BAT provides MRO services for companies under the Lion Air Group. Capabilities include maintaining Airbus A320s and A330s, Boeing 737s and ATR 72s at its hangars located in Batam.

While the hangars can now handle 12 narrowbodies, the plan is to double the capacity in its third phase of expansion.

Having signed a partnership agreement with Garuda Indonesia’s MRO arm GMF AeroAsia, eight hangars will be built and that both parties will jointly use the facility to maintain up to 24 narrowbodies for local and foreign operators.