AVIATION WEEK MRO Award Winners
2008 MRO Outstanding Achievement Awards
Manuel Lopez Aguilar, Iberia Maintenance
Manuel Lopez Aguilar, executive vice president maintenance and engineering, and a member of the executive board for Iberia Maintenance, has helped lead the airline MRO's capability expansion and third-party growth. Iberia Maintenance developed an ambitious business plan four years ago based on customer-oriented service and technology capabilities, and its customer loyalty and revenue demonstrate this. For instance, revenue from third parties in 2007 was more than $400 million out of a total $950 million. This is an increase from just $150 million in third-party revenue in 2004. Iberia Maintenance has invested heavily in its business, including parts repair licenses, new test equipment, new engine blade and vane repair technologies, and paperless working processes and an SAP system. This was happening as the company undertook Six Sigma process improvements that helped increase efficiencies and reduce maintenance costs. He also is helping the company open a cargo conversion line this year, as well as creating a joint-venture landing gear facility in Madrid with ST Aerospace. Iberia Maintenance recently received Airbus authorization to train maintenance technicians for work on Airbus equipment, making it one of the first European airline groups to hold this training endorsement. All of this is occurring while achieving one of the lowest technical incident ratios in the industry, and complying with the stringent ISO 14000 environmental requirements..
Joe Sirico, Pratt & Whitney
Joe Sirico, the Pratt & Whitney manager of the regulatory compliance office for aftermarket and MRO issues, is known for his regulatory and technical expertise within Pratt & Whitney and the global aviation industry. Sirico, who serves as the co-chairman of the Manufacturing & Maintenance Subcommittee of the Aerospace Industries Association's Civil Aviation Regulatory & Safety Committee, represented AIA to the Joint Aviation Authorities Maintenance Sectorial Team during the transition to the European Aviation Safety Agency. He was an alternate member on the 2001 congressionally chartered Aircraft Repair and Maintenance Advisory Committee to review issues related to the use and oversight of foreign and domestic aircraft and aviation component repair and maintenance facilities. He represented AIA on a 2001-2002 FAA convened industry-based Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to address the repair station ratings and quality assurance programs. He also worked with EASA, Transport Canada and FAA to harmonize their definitions of "overhaul" as well as aided in repair approval and data acceptance standards with EASA. In 2006, Pratt & Whitney recognized him as a fellow in regulatory compliance, which recognizes his knowledge, judgment and competence in technical matters. He also was the regulatory compliance and quality member on a leadership award team at the OEM in 2007 for a successful merger and acquisition action. Sirico began his 40th year at Pratt & Whitney this February.
2007 Best Asia/Pacific Airline MRO Operation and Independent MRO Operation Awards
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific received the 2007 Best Asia/Pacific Airline MRO Operation Award because of its success in delivering state-of-the-art passenger services while maintaining its commitment to safety and high-quality maintenance and engineering. Cathay Pacific's innovations in interior modifications earn the carrier strong demand among its first and business class passengers, a distinction that explains its record profit yield - up 54.7 percent for the first half of 2007.
Hangxin Aviation Engineering Group
Hangxin Aviation Engineering Group received the 2007 Best Asia/Pacific Independent MRO Operation award because of Hangxin's impressive growth, its breadth of capabilities and use of state of the art technologies while maintaining an emphasis on safety. High standards of safety and overall excellence are Hangxin's priorities, and have made the company one of the largest aviation spare parts maintenance enterprises in China - set to grow even larger with its new $13.2 million maintenance base near Beijing's Capital Airport.
2007 Best European Airline MRO Operation and Independent MRO Operation Awards
Monarch Aircraft Engineering
Monarch Aircraft Engineering received the 2007 Best European Airline MRO Operation award because of its success in expanding in-house engine capabilities and implementing new software for efficiencies. With 35 years of experience in the aircraft maintenance industry, Monarch provides comprehensive, innovative service at its eight permanent line stations in the U.K and Spain, as well as its three seasonal line stations in Europe and Asia.
Fokker Services
Fokker Services was awarded the 2007 Best European Independent MRO Operation award because of its success in implementing long-term, competitive support agreements and innovative commitment to the aircraft it services. Now one of 6 Airbus approved outfitters for its corporate jetliner family, Fokker Services also is expanding into the arena of VIP completions as a preferred choice in the top-of-the-line corporate jet market.
