NEW DELHI, July 19, 2010: Air Works India Engineering Pvt. Ltd, India’s leading third party MRO has been awarded certification by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Airbus A320 family. The approval was given to Air Works after a thorough and extensive audit process conducted by the DGCA and the EASA authorities. The certification covers airframe major maintenance on Airbus A320 family aircraft which include the A319, A320 and A321 aircraft, installed with IAE/CFM engines.
The A320 family is the undisputed leader in the single-aisle jetliner in the global marketplace and forms the backbone of the majority of the airlines in India and a major part of the airlines’ fleet in the neighboring markets. Given this, the EASA certification brings in tremendous growth opportunities for Air Works and provides the Indian aviation industry local access to globally certified facilities for commercial aircraft maintenance.
Speaking on the occasion Vivek Gour, CEO, Air Works said, “Maintenance, which accounts for a major part of the airlines expenses, has been an area of focus specifically for India based carriers. Maintenance costs for them have typically been higher due to the non availability of an EASA approved MRO facility in India, which leaves them no choice but to incur expensive ferrying costs and loss of operational days as they take their aircraft overseas for maintenance. With Air Works’ EASA certified facility, not only Indian carriers but also airlines in the Middle East and South-East Asia will now be able to leverage the Indian talent to optimize their maintenance costs”.
This certification comes within a year’s timeframe of Air Works having been awarded the EASA certification for ATR 42 / 72 -500 aircraft and Boeing737 Classic / New Generation aircraft. With this, Air Works can now service leased and directly purchased A320 family aircraft, Boeing 737, ATR 42 / 72 -500. It covers all the single aisle aircraft types that form a part of the scheduled carriers’ fleet across the globe.
Commenting on the development, Ravi Menon, Executive Director, Air Works, said; “We are proud to have received the approval from DGCA and EASA for the A320. We at Air Works, have been focused on building competencies and forging strategic partnerships so as be able to offer to India and the world at large, a company that provides tip to tail maintenance services. This certification is a significant step in that direction and will provide further impetus to the growth of the MRO industry in India”.
Air Works has constantly been focusing on enhancing capabilities through accreditations and services to make the company a one- stop shop for all aircraft maintenance work. Recently Air Works added a whole new section of painting and refurbishment services through the acquisition of Air Livery which is a milestone for the Indian MRO industry.
Air Works commercial MRO in Hosur presently has one hangar capable of housing two ATR 72 aircraft or one narrow body aircraft, and with 20,000 sq ft of office and back shop space. The company plans to build one more wide body hangar to be ready by the first quarter of 2011. Air Works plans to invest up to USD $40 Million for setting up the additional hangars, the dedicated paint operation, and future engine/component MRO activities.
About Air Works
Established in 1951, Air Works is the leading provider of aviation services qualified to maintain over 50 aircraft types, for over 100 customers across 12 maintenance locations. Air Works is India’s only EASA certified MRO with approvals for ATR42/72, Airbus A320, and Boeing B737. With a strong network of OEM relationships, Air Works is an Authorized Service Centre for Rockwell Collins, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Honeywell, Agusta Westland, Bell Helicopter, and Superjet International. Through its Air Livery subsidiary, Air Works is one of the world’s largest providers of aircraft paint services.