FiatAvio has opened an engineering centre, FiatAvio Polska, in Bielsko-Biala, Poland. The new plant will focus on repair and overhaul of low-pressure turbines and accessory gearbox drives for civil engines. It will also produce engine components. Hawker Pacific Aerospace (HPA) UK has become the first third-party facility outside the USA to overhaul a Boeing 777-200 main landing gear, having just competed the first for British Airways at its Hayes, Middlesex facility. The work was the first part of a contract HPA has with BA to overhaul all landing gears on its fleet of 43 777s until 2005. Sweden's Priority Aero Maintenance has been awarded a three-year maintenance contract to conduct A- and C-checks and support services for the Boeing MD-80s operated by Egyptian airline Luxor. National Jet Systems Group has opened a major maintenance and engineering facility in Queensland to support its growing specialist contract work for the government and private sector. The complex includes a 4,250m2 (45,750ft2) hangar, accommodating three airliners simultaneously. B-N Group has set up FLY BN at Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight, UK, to provide maintenance and support for the fleet of B-N Islander and Defender utility aircraft in operation worldwide. Maintenance and support services will also be provided for smaller civil aircraft and helicopters. FLS Aerospace has been contracted to perform maintenance on an Alitalia Boeing 747-200 Freighter. The work, which includes a D-check and repainting, will be undertaken at its facility at Dublin airport, Ireland. TIMCO Aviation Services in Macon, Georgia, has been granted US Federal Aviation Administration approval to perform heavy maintenance on Airbus A319/A320s. Rolls-Royce has signed a 10-year, $100 million, fleet hour agreement with China Eastern Airlines to maintain the Trent 500 engines on the airline's five AirbusA340-600s, due to be delivered from March.
Source: Flight International
