Finnair Technical Services sees a major business opportunity in supporting ATRs operating in neighbouring Russia, where it predicts there will be a huge influx of secondhand examples, writes Kieran Daly.
"Until now the Russians have been getting older aircraft, but we estimate that there will be more than a hundred ATRs in Russia eventually," says FTS's vice president powerplant department Tuomo Karhumaki.
Finnair has been a long-time ATR operator - its fleet is operated by its fully owned Estonian division Aero Airlines and will be sold by the end of the year. FTS specialises in maintenance of the aircraft and its PW100 powerplant, says Karhumaki. "We specialise in ATR as a complete service and that is one of our targets in future in Russia. We will also keep the PW100 capability for ATR, and introduce the PW127."
Karhumaki notes that FTS was the first PW100 shop outside Canada and says the firm is determined to maintain its position in the market.
Meanwhile, FTS is working to introduce new capabilities as its parent airline sets about renewing its fleet. The carrier is committed to removing its remaining Boeing MD-11s - and their General Electric CF6 engines - from service by 2010, and has switched from MD-80s to CFM International CFM56-powered Airbus A320 family aircraft.
Karhumaki says FTS is building a total maintenance capability for Airbus narrowbodies and their engines. Landing gear maintenance is an early priority. The unit is also developing expertise on Airbus widebodies joining its fleet and stands to benefit from Finnair's status as an early A350 XWB customer.
Karhumaki says FTS is still considering whether it wants to grow a third-party capability to handle the Embraer 170 now entering its fleet.
Source: Flight International
