Air France has signed a new three-year maintenance contract with Snecma Sabena Engine Services (SSES) covering 68 CFM International CFM56-3s powering nine Boeing 737-300s and 25 737-500s. SSES will be responsible for maintenance, repair and support of Air France engines. Air Algérie has also signed a three-year, $25 million maintenance contract with SSES for its 88 JT8D engines. American Airlines has named its Texas-based Alliance Maintenance Base as the maintenance home of America's 777 fleet, which currently stands at 23 and will grow to 43 by 2002. Nearly 350 new jobs will be created, and a $10 million, 18m (60ft) tall Uni-Dock is being built in preparation. AAR has received a two-year aircraft maintenance contract extension with Champion Air, which covers Champion's current fleet of 11 727-200s. The contract includes light and heavy C checks, ageing aircraft requirements and refurbishments. MTU Maintenance Canada has received the first CFM56-3 at its shop, one year in advance of the company's initial projections. BAC Aviation's new 1,400m² (15,070ft²), 24-hour aviation spares facility at Southend Airport in the UK began operations in early September. Air Austral has selected Lufthansa Technik's Total Engine Support package for a 10-year contract for its three CFM56-powered Boeing 737 classics. Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand Engineering Services have selected GE Aircraft Services' Inventory Management programme to control components used during overhaul of GE and CFM International engines. Bombardier has opened a spares distribution centre in Beijing to support Chinese operators of its CRJ200 and Q400 regional aircraft. Deliveries begin in October against orders for 24 CRJ200s and three Q400s from Chinese carriers. Aeronavali will convert MD-11s to freighter under a contract from Boeing. The agreement is managed by Boeing Airplane Services.
Source: Flight International
