Alitalia Technical Operations has completed the first maintenance (level C1) check of a Boeing MD-11 freighter for Lufthansa Cargo at its Rome Fiumicino facilities. The work is part of a contract awarded to Alitalia Technical Operations by Lufthansa for a series of overhauls on MD-11Fs. It is part of ongoing collaboration between the two airlines covering a range of maintenance operations. Singapore Airlines' (SIA) engineering arm SIAECO is planning to be the first maintenance company to offer overhaul services for the Airbus A380 in the Asia/Pacific region. Construction is under way of two new hangars capable of accommodating the 550-seater at its Changi airport base, and SIAECO plans to be ready to offer maintenance by the time the first enters service in early 2006. Boeing and United Parcel Service (UPS) have selected Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero) subsidiary ST Aviation Services to modify 13 MD-11s to freighters and perform concurrent maintenance. Work begins this year and continues until 2004. Midwest Express Holdings has announced plans to build a regional jet maintenance centre for Skyway Airlines adjacent to Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport. Go-ahead is contingent on obtaining industrial revenue bonds from Milwaukee.
Source: Flight International
