Page 24 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2015 Online Magazine

NEWS

MRO INduSTRy NEWS

services, AFI KLM E&M confirms its
ability and aim to design and market
aircraft maintenance solutions tailored
to the latest technology carried aboard
new-generation aircraft.
The Group’s A350 MRO offering
benefits from the unique experience
and earlier investment in new-
generation aircraft fleets operating
similar technology, like the A380 and
the Boeing 787, for which the AFI KLM
E&M offering has already been taken up
by several major airlines.
Being granted Part 145 approval
by EASA for A350 line maintenance is
an important stage in the maintenance
development plan that AFI KLM E&M is
implementing to offer their MRO services
for the new-generation airplane.
Franck Terner, EVP Air France
A350 Line Maintenance Offer KLM E&M, said: “Based on its unique
AFI KLM E&M has been granted Part 145 the launch of line maintenance services. experience as an Airline/MRO on A380
approval by the European Aviation Safety The Group has already provided technical and 787, AFI KLM E&M is quickly
Agency (EASA) authorizing it to carry out assistance services on customer’s ramping up its A350 support services.
line maintenance for airlines operating A350s at the Rome outstation, and has On the line maintenance segment,
the A350. contracted with Vietnam Airlines to following Paris-CDG and Rome, AFI
Engaged in a program to develop its deliver line maintenance services at KLM E&M will deploy its A350 capability
dedicated A350 maintenance capabilities, Paris-CDG. across its global network to meet the
AFI KLM E&M has with this new approval Only months after the development needs of operating airlines, including
extended its commercial offering with of a range of dedicated Boeing 787 MRO Air France KLM fleets.”

AFI KLM E&M Launches New Aerostructures Shop
AFI KLM E&M has launched its new infrastructure modernization programs.
aerostructures shop, a high-tech facility As with the new engine shop in
packed with innovations to handle all Amsterdam; Eole, the components
types of airframe parts, with a special workshop; Constellation, the VBE
emphasis on composites. engine shop; Equinoxe, the logistics
The brand-new building rises store; and Zéphyr, the VBE test cell, this
proudly a few hundred meters beyond latest addition to the Group’s high-tech
the A380 hangar at Paris-CDG. engineering resources today offers its
Following ground-breaking just over aerostructures business “a coherent
twelve months ago, since September whole that is unique, ultra-optimized,
2015 the new Helios aerostructures and highly efficient, in the service of our
shop has brought under one roof teams clients”, says Helios project manager
that were previously distributed across Laurent Rousselle.
several sites at Le Bourget, in an Scaled to accommodate all Very
18,000sqm concentration of technology Big Engine nacelles (GE90, GEnx, Trent
that will ultimately house close to 300 1000), the new building is equipped with
technicians and engineers. sanding booths, painting booths, and
The Helios project was launched autoclaves big enough to accommodate
in 2012 and is part of AFI KLM E&M’s the nacelles. It will be able to handle all
continuous investment and maintenance types of nacelles, airfoils and radomes.

24 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2015 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM