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SR TECHNICS INTRODUCES E-CHECKS…
SR Technics’ new Equalised Maintenance (E-check) concept reduces Airbus A320 Family aircraft downtime by a total of 17 days during a six-year period. The service distributes all traditional A and C check tasks from a block maintenance concept into equal maintenance packages.

…AND CUTS CHECK TIMES
SR Technics has succeeded in reducing the average downtime for a variety of aircraft maintenance checks by up to 30%. With this achievement, customers can benefit from increased aircraft availability, generate considerably more revenue and lower maintenance costs. These downtime improvements are part of SR Technics’ strategy to transform the company’s production methods and services to be even more efficient and effective.

NEW JOINT VENTURES FOR AFI
Air France Industries and Royal Air Maroc have signed a shareholder agreement to create a 50:50 joint venture MRO facility at Casablanca-Mohammed V International Airport. AFI is acquiring a 50% stake in RAM MRO subsidiary Aerotechnic Industries. Aimed at the European and African markets, it will support Airbus A320 Family airframes in a new two-bay hangar that is expected to be operational in 2010. Work will start with C checks. The business development will be supported by the AFI KLM E&M sales force.

ALENIA TEAMS FOR ATR MRO IN MALAYSIA
Alenia Aeronautica and MAS Aerospace Engineering (MAE), a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, have signed an agreement to create a joint venture company for the provision of MRO services for ATR aircraft. The new company, MAS-Alenia Aeronautica Aerospace Engineering (MAAE) is 51% owned by MAE and 49% by Alenia Aeronautica. The company’s headquarters will be in Malaysia.

SABENA technics SETS UP JVs
Sabena technics is setting up two joint ventures, with TNT Airways and the Al Wazzan Group. The TNT Airways company aims to provide a full range of line and light maintenance services to TNT’s fleet of Boeing 737 and BAe146 aircraft at Liege Airport and will start operations by October 2009, subject to approval from the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority and clearance from the competition authorities. The joint venture will subsequently extend its services to third-party customers. Sabena technics will also provide support for aircraft components, landing gear, wheels and brakes and engineering services.