Aircraft

Australia’s Qantas Airways and Swiss maintenance provider SR Technics have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture company to provide component management services for the Airbus A380.

Oneworld alliance member Qantas says in a statement that the MoU is non-binding but that “with the A380 entering service in the next 12 months, Qantas had identified a need for the service, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region”.

Executive general manager of Qantas Engineering David Cox adds: “As deliveries of the A380 begin from late 2006, all airlines operating the aircraft will need to prepare their support options for the aircraft which includes their component management needs. While airlines will determine their own maintenance needs for the aircraft, Qantas Engineering has identified an opportunity to create an independent business to provide a cost effective component inventory service for all A380 customer airlines.

“This MoU will allow Qantas and SR Technics to move beyond informal discussions to look at establishing a joint venture business, examine options for an operational base and begin talking formally to potential customers.”

Qantas has 12 A380s on order for delivery from April next year. Singapore Airlines is to be the first operator of the aircraft late this year.

NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE