UK leasing and MRO start-up Cardiff Aviation has sealed a partnership with the European branch of US fuel-system maintenance specialist North American Aircraft Services.

The deal allows NAAS to conduct maintenance work in Cardiff Aviation's hangar at St Athan air base west of the Welsh capital.

NAAS Aircraft Services International - which includes Bournemouth, UK-based Tank Devils - has set up a headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa in Shannon, Ireland.

Cardiff Aviation - which was established by Iron Maiden frontman and pilot Bruce Dickinson and former Astraeus chief executive Mario Fulgoni in 2012 - partnered with a number of companies to start operations earlier this year. These include UK maintenance provider BCT Aviation and aircraft painting business Clear Image.

"Now that we have partners on the west coast of Ireland, next we move east," says Dickinson in reference to the NAAS deal.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news