Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Empire Aero Center has received board approval to acquire the necessary tooling to perform heavy maintenance on Embraer E-190 aircraft.
Company North American sales director Rob Tilson confirmed the board's endorsement to Flightglobal.com affiliate ATI earlier today.
The Rome, New York-based maintenance, repair and overhaul provider currently offers A through D checks on Airbus A320s, Boeing 737s/757s/767s/747s, McDonnell Douglas MD-80s and DC10s/8s in addition to supplying maintenance on Boeing C-130 aircraft.
Empire has held some discussions with long-time customer JetBlue regarding E-190 maintenance. The MRO first won business from JetBlue in 2006, and has solidified a contract for 2009 covering heavy maintenance checks on 22 of the carrier's Airbus A320s.
Empire is the second North American MRO to detail plans of offering E-Jet maintenance in a matter of weeks after ExelTech of Canada on 19 September launched its E-170/190 heavy maintenance offerings with Republic Airways Holdings. ExelTech's pact with Republic covers 15 E-Jets.
ExelTech management recently told ATI the MRO is targeting all E-Jet operators in North America as potential customers. In addition to JetBlue and Republic, other E-Jet operators include Air Canada and US Airways. Florida-based lessor Jetscape in February announced a deal for up to 30 E-190s, ten of which are firm orders.
Empire Aero and ExelTech will also compete with Nashville-based Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services for E-Jet heavy maintenance customers. The airframer established its wholly-owned maintenance company in 2006 to meet demand for the expanding 170/190 fleet in North America.
As it moves to acquire the necessary tooling to support E-Jet maintenance, Empire Aero expects to complete heavy C checks on 15 JetBlue A320s this year as part of a previously-inked deal with the carrier.
Tilson says C1 checks take roughly four days while C2 checks, which entail more maintenance tasks, average about six days.
The company also finalizing an agreement with Virgin America for 2009 covering installations of in-flight entertainment equipment and C-checks for the carriers Airbus narrowbodies. Virgin America became an Empire Aero customer in March 2007. The MRO this year has also completed heavy checks on five Air Canada A320s.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
