Air France Industries Goes Custom

Asian Aerospace 2000 -- Air France Industries, the aeronautical maintenance arm of Air France, is offering customized fleet service to its third-party maintenance customers.

Simply put, the service allows the customer "to pay for what he wants, and pay only for what he gets," according to Pierre Reville, VP marketing and sales. A single contract administrator serves as the point of contact, eliminating potential coordination problems. This also makes the service a true "one-stop shopping" experience, Reville says.

As its parent Air France "can buy its maintenance elsewhere, and sometimes does," the maintenance organization has rationalized its capabilities to become more efficient. It also is moving into cabin products, such as the installation of in-flight entertainment and airborne satellite systems, Reville says.

Engine capability is being cranked up, with the intent of moving from servicing 300 engines a year to 400 by 2003. A decision to participate in completion activity on the Boeing Business Jet and A319CJ corporate jets will be made soon.

Elsewhere Air France Industries is in a joint venture with US repair center AAR to perform Airbus A320 component service. This will include component support and establishment of a spares pool. The partnership is to be operational this summer.

By Paul Proctor