Comlux America is preparing to expand into the widebody VIP completions market and is poised to break ground on a new hangar extension to accommodate the anticipated new business.
The Indianapolis-based company is out in force at NBAA to promote its portfolio of completions and MRO work which its says has remained stable despite downturn in the business aircraft market.
“We are doing relatively well in a difficult [economic] conditions,” says Comlux Group executive vice president, Arnaud Martin.
“Since 2010 we have completed and delivered eight green Airbus ACJ’s and Boeing Business Jets [models] and have refurbished many more,” he adds.
This year Comlux has signed two major contracts - a green ACJ320 completion and a “major" refurbishment of a Boeing Business Jet. The company has also refurbished a BBJ and an ACJ321 this year for private owners based in Asia and Central America.
Comlux is now seeking to expand into the widebody completion arena and plans to break ground later this year on a 2,410m2 (25,940ft2) hangar extension. The final structure will be 13,420m2 and will be able to accommodate one widebody airliner - such as a 747-8 - and up to two narrowbodies. Alternatively,” it could take up to six narrowbodies at one time,” says Comlux. .
Martin, who is the former vice president of Airbus Corporate Jets in Toulouse, expects the project to be complete by the middle of next year.
“Our goal is to do a maximum of four completions a year – one widebody and three single aisle,” he continues.
Comlux also has ambitious plans for the maintenance and servicing portfolio. The company is pursuing supplemental type certification for a future air navigation service FANS 1/A+ system for the Bombardier Challenger-600 large cabin business jet series. Installation and testing is underway in a Challenger 601 – owned by launch customer, Worthington Industries, and supplemental type certification is scheduled for this quarter.
Comlux is also adding Bombardier’s Learjet 70/75 light jet duo to its already extensive list of business jet maintenance approvals including the Challenger and Global families.
Get all the latest coverage from NBAA here
Source: FlightGlobal.com
