Inside MRO News Briefs And Contracts, August 2023

HIGHLIGHTS

AEI Adds Chinese MRO to P2F Conversion Network

Aeronautical Engineers has confirmed the addition of Grand China Aviation Maintenance to its network of Boeing 737-800SF passenger-to-freighter conversion specialists.

As part of the agreement, Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines will be the launch customer for the conversions in China, and at least three of the narrowbody aircraft will be converted at Grand China Aviation Maintenance’s facility at Meilan International Airport in Haikou, located on the island of Hainan.

Miami-based Aeronautical Engineers expects the first 737-800SF to be converted by the first quarter of 2024. To date, the company has modified more than 600 aircraft and offers passenger-to-freighter conversions for 737-800, 737-400, 737-300, MD-80 series and Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft.

WestJet Plans Fuel Tank Modifications

Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet’s Boeing 737 fleet will undergo fuel tank modifications to maintain compliance with the FAA’s Fuel Tank Flammability Reduction Rule.

The Calgary, Alberta-based airline has selected Jetaire Group’s Invicta product, a lightweight, proprietary reticulated polyurethane foam solution that lines fuel tanks to suppress fuel ignition. Invicta’s foam-based kit fills the oxygenated space in a tank and inhibits fuel movement, which prevents changes in weight distribution and friction that could result in a spark.

Canadian MRO provider KF Aerospace will perform installation of Invicta under its recently announced agreement with Jetaire to jointly market Invicta to Canadian customers. Jetaire has previously told Aviation Week that Invicta takes approximately 2-4 days to install on a narrowbody aircraft and 4-5 days to install on a widebody.

AAR Secures More Airframe Lines in Miami

U.S. MRO provider AAR will boost airframe maintenance capacity at Miami International Airport by a third after getting the green light to build a new $50 million hangar.

Local government has approved construction of a 114,000-ft.², three-bay facility next to AAR’s existing nine-bay hangar, with work set to start in the second quarter of fiscal 2024. The facility will house three narrowbody lines, as well as warehouse and back shop space. The company expects to complete construction within 24 months.

AAR expects the new facility to support its recently enlarged airframe maintenance contract with United Airlines, announced July 17. Under the agreement, it will extend airframe MRO and heavy maintenance work for the airline through 2030. To support this contract, AAR will grow its dedicated airframe narrowbody capacity, providing United with a minimum of 10 lines of maintenance across its facilities in Rockford, Illinois, and Miami. It also expects the increased maintenance commitment to generate more than 250 jobs.

CONTRACTS

AJW Group won a power-by-the-hour support contract from Azerbaijan Airlines for Airbus A320ceo, A320neo and Boeing 767 components.

Eaton and SIA Engineering Co. Ltd. agreed to form 51-49% joint venture in Singapore to inspect, test, repair, maintain, modify and overhaul Eaton-manufactured components installed on airframe and engine fuel systems/hydraulic systems.

EFW was selected by Stratos to convert a second Airbus A330-300 to freighter format starting in the second half of 2023.

Embraer extended its Pool Program contract with Australia’s National Jet Express to support six E190s.

Lufthansa Technik was selected by Kenya Airways to provide component support for its nine Boeing 787-8s through 2028.

Quickstep signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia’s Alliance Airlines to provide Embraer 190 component support, including nacelle support in partnership with the OEM. It will also provide technical support at the airline’s new heavy maintenance facility in Rockhampton.

Rolls-Royce has secured a TotalCare service agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to support four Trent-powered Airbus A350-1000s.

SIA Engineering Co. Ltd. has won a Hawaiian Airlines contract to provide airframe maintenance services for its fleet of Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Storm Aviation has secured a 5-year Norse Atlantic Airways contract to provide Boeing 787 line maintenance at London Gatwick Airport.