Aero Services (formerly the AGES group) has signed a memorandum of understanding with aftermarket specialist Tracer and internet marketplace TradeAir.com to handle the sale of its inventory of expendable parts. TRW and HRD are to invest jointly in a repair facility for fire bottles, fire extinguishers and eventually oxygen systems to be set up within TRW Aeronautical Systems' Singapore repair centre. Phoenix, Arizona-based Triumph Air Repair has been authorised by Honeywell to overhaul the 131-9- series auxiliary power unit installed in the Boeing Next Generation 737 and MD-90. Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero) expects its new Sikorsky S-76 maintenance, repair and overhaul facility to be certified as a Sikorsky Authorised Service Centre by the end of the year. ST Aero has invested S$400,000 ($215,0000) in the operation. Work has begun on a joint venture between Virgin Atlantic Airways and BAA to build a £25 million ($35 million) maintenance facility at London Heathrow airport. The 13,000m2 (140,000ft2) facility is due to be completed by the end of next year. As well as being able to handle all of Virgin's maintenance needs including Airbus A340-600s and A380s that are on order, space will be available for third party work. The airline says the hangar will allow it to bring most of its maintenance in-house. BAE Systems Aviation Services is to service the five Airbus A300B4 Freighters operated by Belgium's TNT Airways and its Spanish arm Pan Air. The three year deal, worth £12.8 million ($18 million), covers heavy maintenance, with work to be carried out at BAE's Filton, UK base. Meanwhile BAE has been named by Airbus as a preferred maintenance and repair organisation. The three-year contract covers A300, A310, and A320 family aircraft. British Airways' Italian franchise partner National Jet Italia has awarded Commercial Aircraft Services Company a $1 million contract to support all the equipment fitted to its two 737-400s over three years.
Source: Flight International
