Page 35 - AAA NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 Online Magazine

MRO

Qantas enhances
business-class
experience
Qantas has announced some
enhancements to its business-class
service, such as a new sleep service
that will see a mattress placed over the New programme to decrease overhaul costs for
existing Skybeds on international flights,
and the provision of duvets for added Rolls-Royce’s Tay engines?
comfort. Travellers in business class will Rolls-Royce is reportedly introducing as the Tay engines that power these
also have access to Kate Spade New York a new programme for Fokker 70s and types are very expensive to overhaul,
and Jack Spade amenity kits, and a service Fokker 100s to decrease overhaul especially if many of the parts are due for
that allows them to select their meal and costs for their Tay engines. According replacement. Apparently, airlines have
when they would like to dine, before they to Aviation Daily, Fokker has discovered instead been choosing newer aircraft
board. “Qantas is focused on putting the that industry executives are hesitant to with lower maintenance costs, such as
customer at the centre of everything we purchase Fokker 70s and Fokker 100s the Embraer 190 and the Airbus A319.
do, making Qantas International best for
global travellers. This means listening
to our customers, understanding why
they fly with us and providing the best
service we can,” said Qantas International
CEO Simon Hickey.

ST Aerospace performed
well in 3Q

Singapore-based ST Aerospace has 737s must modify cabin
secured approximately S$590 million Boeing to set up MRO pressure warning
(over US$480 million) worth of new Centre in South Korea systems, says FAA
contracts in 3Q 2012, said its parent Boeing has signed a memorandum
company, ST Engineering, adding of understanding with the province The FAA has issued an airworthiness
that the contracts are for airframe, of Gyeongsangbuk-do and the city of directive targeted at all Boeing 737
component and engine maintenance, Yeongcheon to establish an avionics operators, which requires them to
as well as engineering design support. MRO facility in the region, to support the modify cabin pressurisation loss
During the quarter, ST Aerospace area’s Aero Techno Valley vision of a high- warning systems, including installing
completed airframe maintenance and tech aerospace industry corridor and redundant pressure switches and new
modification work on 156 aircraft, as expanded in-country avionics capabilities. warning modules. According to the
well as redelivered its first VIP Boeing Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Kim Kwan- FAA, the directive applies to over 1,400
business jet for a contract for B-level yong said, “Adding high-tech, value- airframes registered in the United
check and interior modifications. It also added business such as avionics to the States, and the modifications are
broke ground in Guangzhou, China, to Gyeongsangbuk-do region will open new expected to cost around US$39,000
begin hangar construction for its MRO doors for local industry, create more jobs per aircraft, including US$33,000 for
joint venture, which is expected to begin for high-skilled workers and support hardware. Operators are expected to
operations in 3Q 2013. technological competitiveness.” comply by November 7, 2018.

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