Brazilian operator TAM has received FAA approval to conduct maintenance operations on US-registered aircraft as the carrier continues preparations for a possible spin-off of its maintenance unit.
Airline executives said earlier this year that they have not established a timeline for a spin off since it will largely be driven by market conditions.
In the meantime, FAR 145 certification enables TAM's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) unit to perform C and D checks, in addition to the revision of different aeronautic components.
TAM has received FAA approval as it works through the final stages of certification to perform Boeing 767 maintenance.
TAM has already secured approval from Chilean regulator DGAC ato service Airbus A318 aircraft and A318 components for Chilean-registered aircraft. TAM notes that DGAC certification marks its first approval for an aircraft model not its fleet. The carrier also holds Chilean certification to perform maintenance on A319, A320 and A321 aircraft.
TAM's Sao Carlos centre also received EASA approval last year to perform C and D checks for European-registered A320 family and A330 aircraft. The carreir also is certified to perform Fokker 100 maintenane, but no longer operates the aircraft type.
"With these approvals, we can strengthen our service offering MRO to third parties and meet the major airlines in the market," TAM vice president of MRO Ruy Amparo says in a statement.
Earlier this year, TAM won a contract to perform heavy maintenance on six A320 family aircraft of Chile's Lan Airlines.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
