Page 28 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCOTBER 2017 Online Magazine

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MRO NEWS
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MRO NEWS AND UPDATES

Pratt & Whitney Commissions New
Fan Blade Manufacturing Facility
Pratt & Whitney recently commissioned a
new fan blade manufacturing facility at its
AutoAir plant in Lansing, Michigan, adding
to an existing GTF fan blade production
AFI KLM E&M and GMF AeroAsia Strengthen Partnership line in Lansing.
AFI KLM E&M and its long-standing partner the strategic alliance between GMF and The new 93,000 square-foot facility
GMF AeroAsia recently signed a Letter AFI KLM E&M is one of GMF’s inorganic is one of 30 dedicated manufacturing,
of Intent (LOI), which will result in both initiatives to accelerate towards its vision production or assembly locations across
companies increasing their cooperation to become Top 10 MROs in the World. the globe performing work on various
to move up a stage to become a strategic “This new step fully fits our strategy to parts and components of the GTF engine
alliance. The new alliance will develop a grow the AFI KLM E&M footprint in Asia, programme. “Pratt & Whitney’s US$97
range of multi-segment MRO products where MRO needs are booming,” said million investment in the production of
delivering high value-added maintenance Executive Vice President AIR FRANCE fan blades for the PurePower Geared
solutions for the market. President & CEO KLM Engineering & Maintenance, Anne Turbofan (GTF) engine at our AutoAir
GMF AeroAsia, Iwan Joeniarto said that Brachet. facility is part of our more than US$1.3
billion investment in 21st century
seat products for Business Class manufacturing technology to transform
and Premium Economy. “We are our footprint worldwide,” says Shane
very pleased to contribute to Eddy, vice president, operations, at Pratt
Qantas’ success and reputation & Whitney. “This expansion is part of our
by applying our innovation and strategy to handle delivery demands
proven expertise in designing on our backlog of more than 8,000 firm
and upgrading cabins to increase and option engines on order.” Pratt &
the efficiency and value of its Whitney’s AutoAir facility will not only
A380 operations,” said Didier undertake GTF fan blade production, but
Evrard, EVP Programmes is also a center of excellence for test
Airbus Commercial Aircraft. The nacelle composite repairs. The engine
Qantas to Upgrade A380 Cabins overall upper-deck integration will be the maker has committed to deliver 350 to
Qantas has contracted Airbus for the responsibility of Airbus, and the airframer 400 GTF engines this year and in addition
upgrade of 12 flagship A380 cabins. will develop specific tailored monuments to the manufacturing expansion, Pratt &
The upgrade work will commence in for Qantas and a new and unique business Whitney has four maintenance and repair
Q2 2019. All 12 aircraft are planned to lounge area in the forward upper-deck. operations (MRO) facilities to repair and
be upgraded by end of 2020. The cabin The capacity of Qantas A380s after the overhaul GTF engines.
upgrade for the double deck widebody will upgrade will be: 14 First Suites (unchanged),
enhance passenger comfort on long-haul 70 Business Suites (up by six), 60 Premium
operations and the new interiors will take Economy (up by 25) and 341 Economy (down
advantage of the A380’s large floor area by 30) for a total of 485 passengers ( An
to most efficiently embody Qantas’ latest increase of one passenger).

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