Page 23 - AAA JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 Online Magazine

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constructing and choosing the right to further build up its capability on the where strong growth is expected. The
design structure that would minimize Airbus family. HAECO Inventory Technical Manage-
the risk of damage from severe weather Measuring approximately 96 meters ment business is based in Hong Kong,
such as typhoons, says LTP. in width and 88 meters in depth, the with excellent logistics infrastructure
At the construction site, west of the hangar will be able to offer space for and freight network coverage to serve
facility’s existing 4-hangar bay, stands one widebody and two narrowbodies airline needs around the world.
approximately 1,500-tonnes of steel or four narrowbody aircraft. “We are delighted to have reached a
structure organized into three inter- LTP will benefit from a new agree- significant milestone with Cathay Pa-
connected zones. The first and lowest ment struck between Luftahnsa Tech- cific, strengthening the strategic posi-
zone was constructed in the traditional nic and Virgian Atlantic last year. The tion of this business in our portfolio,”
manner while the second and third deal will see the early extension of the said Mr. Augustus Tang, HAECO’s
higher zones were constructed on current five-year base maintenance CEO. HAECO and Taikoo (Xiamen)
ground and raised to height as com- contract for the airlines´ Airbus A340 Aircraft Engineering Company Limit-
plete sections using special hydraulic fleet by a further six years through to ed (TAECO) - a subsidiary of HAECO,
lifting equipment. After all three zones 2019. The base maintenance services recently acquired 49% shareholding
were properly interconnected, the team are carried out at LTP. that SR Technics holds in Shanghai SR
installed the roof atop the 35-meter Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, HAECO Aircraft Technics Company (SR Shang-
high structure. has entered into a memorandum of un- hai). The company has been renamed
LTP held a groundbreaking cer- derstanding with Cathay Pacific for the Shanghai Taikoo Aircraft Engineering
emony early last year as it announced management of the group’s airframe Services Company Limited (STA) to
its new hangar project, representing a rotable components. take up the line maintenance servic-
US$30-million investment and capac- The transaction is expected to yield es at Shanghai Pudong International
ity expansion. The project is expected benefits in component asset utilisa- Airport. TAECO and STA will work
to boost LTP’s capability in servicing tion, pool synergy, business scalability, together to provide line maintenance
the growing range of Airbus models supplier relationships, and physical services for customers. There are three-
that includes the A320, the A330 and component repair capability develop- shareholders of the company, HAECO,
the A340. It would also give LTP the ment opportunities, putting HAECO TAECO and Shanghai Foreign Aviation
option to accommodate the A380 air- in a strong position to secure potential Service Corporation (FASCO). TAECO
craft which would allow the company customers in the Asia Pacific region and STA now serve 39 airline custom-

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www.AsianAirlines-Airports.com January/February 2012 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS