Delta TechOps sees a "huge opportunity" to capitalise on the growing MRO market in Asia and is looking for a partner to help it expand its offerings in the region, said Peter Turner, vice-president, MRO services for the firm.
He was speaking to Flightglobal on the sidelines of the MRO Americas show in Atlanta on 17 April.
"We are definitely looking at partners in the Far East," said Turner, adding that discussions are underway to find a partner in the high growth market.
That airline partner could be an airline or independent MRO, said Turner. The maintenance organisation is looking at all options.
"Nothing's off-limits, we're going to look for the right fit," he said.
The Asia-Pacific MRO market is forecasted to grow by $6.6 billion between 2022 and 2012 and the market in China will grow by $4.6 billion during that time, says a new forecast from consultancy ICF SH&E.
Europe is another market that Delta TechOps is interested in growing, said Turner, although he sees that market being already accessible from the MRO's base in Atlanta.
Delta has taken the approach of partnering with an airline MRO in Mexico, where it is in the process of opening a jointly-operated maintenance centre with SkyTeam partner Aeromexico in Queretaro. The new maintenance centre will house up to seven aircraft.
Delta TechOps' third party business for maintenance work outside of the Delta fleet makes up about 20% of its business.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
