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NEWS

INduSTRy NEWS ANd uPdATES

New Boeing Winglets to be
Built in Washington
GKN Aerospace has plans to set up a
winglet assembly plant in Washington
after it won a contract to build the
new advanced technology winglets for
Boeing’s forthcoming 737 MAX aircraft.
The 57,000-square-foot facility will
open later this year in Sumner near
Boeing’s 737 final assembly plant, in
Renton. It will employ approximately 75
people at full production.
Gov. Jay Inslee and the state
Cabin Modification Deal Department of Commerce have approved
Leading aircraft leasing firm Aviation “It is a pleasure to be working an incentive agreement for u.K.-based
Capital Group(ACG) has signed a new once more with AFI KLM E&M on this GKN, including more than $600,000 to
contract with AFI KLM Engineering and contract,” says Paul Watkins, ACG’s help recruit and train new employees as
Maintenance (E&M) to remodel cabin of Vice-President Technical in Europe, the facility is brought on line.
one of its Airbus A330s. Africa and Middle East. The 737 MAX with Advanced
The Paris-based multi-product Fabrice Defrance, AFI KLM E&M’s Technology (AT) winglets incorporates
Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO) Senior Vice-President Commercial the latest technology CFM International
provider will be responsible for both says the MRO provider’s cost and LEAP-1B engines and other
the reconfiguration and certification ability to adapt to various maintenance improvements to deliver the highest
procedures of the aircraft’s cabin. situations resulted in getting the new efficiency, reliability and passenger
Aviation Capital Group, one of the project. comfort in the single-aisle market.
world’s top aircraft operating lease “We are pleased to provide our Winglets are curved tips at the end of
enterprises, has commissioned cabin know-how to our client in a task wings that reduce fuel use. Boeing has
modification and refurbishment work requiring precision and high quality designed a split advanced technology
from AFI KLM E&M over recent years. standards,” says Defrance. winglet for the re-engined 737 MAX.
The 737 MAX has more than
2,600 aircraft on order. The new
contract adds to GKN’s existing
work package, manufacturing and
performing initial assembly on 50%
of the MAX AT Winglets.
GKN Aerostructures North
America President and CEO Daniele
Cagnatel says the contract expands
the company’s work with Boeing on the
Advanced Technology Winglet, “allowing
us to provide a turnkey product to the
Boeing Renton facility.”
He says that the company “expects
Singapore Airlines Picks MTT as Mobile Partner the Sumner site to support additional
Singapore Airlines has selected leading dynamic mobile strategy. commercial programs’ assembly and
mobile travel technology provider Gerry Samuels, CEO of MTT says he painting needs” over the long term.
Mobile Travel Technologies Ltd. (MTT) to “very much looked forward” to launching Kent Fisher, Boeing Vice President
relaunch its mobile applications. the first phases of the new Singapore of Supplier Management says “the
MTT will re-launch the carrier’s Airlines apps. investments made by Boeing and
smartphone apps, to be followed by a “We are proud to announce this our suppliers in the 737 MAX…
new tablet app. The purpose is “to bring significant partnership with Singapore will continue to spur economic
fresh, cutting edge mobile services” to Airlines, one of the most respected travel opportunities in Washington state for
its users and to work in partnership on a brands worldwide,” he says further. years to come.”

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