Canadian low-cost airline WestJet has awarded GE Aviation an $850 million engine maintenance, repair and overhaul contract. The 12-year deal covers of the CFM56-7 engines powering 79 Boeing Next Generation 737s.

The work has been subcontracted to StandardAero, a Dubai Aerospace Enterprise-owned Canadian MRO provider. StandardAero and GE Aviation have signed a material and licensing agreement covering the WestJet contract. As part of this agreement, GE Aviation will provide StandardAero with materials and high-technology component repairs.

StandardAero was the first independent repair and overhaul company to be authorised to provide MRO services on GE's CF34 engines. Its CF34 capability spans the CF34-1, -3 and -8 engines. The company is licensed to add capability on the -10 but has not yet decided to do so.

By the end of the summer, 7,400m2 (80,000ft2) of new capacity will be operational at StandardAero's Winnipeg facility, says Ian Smart, senior vice-president airlines and fleets.

A further 2,320m2 expansion will supplement its existing CF34 test cell with a test cell capable of accommodating CFM56s. Ground will be broken on this construction within 30 days, says Smart.

StandardAero's expansion programme will boost potential throughput from 300 engines a year to 350 and bring total facility size to 15,330m2. The WestJet contract marks StandardAero's entry to the CFM56 and narrowbody markets.

Source: Flight Daily News

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