TUI Travel has signed up as the launch customer for Boeing's GoldCare life-cycle management service.

The agreement covers the airline's 13 Boeing 787s, which Thomson Airways, Tuifly Nordic, Jetairfly and Arkefly will operate when the aircraft are delivered.

The contract is for 12 years from the delivery of each aircraft, says Boeing. It will provide TUI Travel with GoldCare Enterprise, which encompasses the full portfolio of available services including maintenance, engineering and material management.

"We have developed this exciting concept with Boeing and are confident that this service will optimise the efficiency of our airlines' operations, reduce complexity, provide value to our stakeholders and allow us to continue to provide outstanding service for our customers," says Fraser Ellacott, director of Engineering, TUI Travel.

Thompson 787
 © Boeing

Bob Avery, Boeing's vice-president, fleet management for commercial aviation, adds: "GoldCare will boost airplane reliability, reduce cost and improve efficiency throughout the lifecycle of the airplane. TUI Travel is a strong development partner on this programme and we look forward to our continued partnership as TUI Travel's 787s enter service."

Within GoldCare, Boeing leads a global team performing comprehensive material management, engineering and maintenance services at a price based on flight hours. The team includes original equipment manufacturers GE Aviation, Hamilton Sundstrand, Honeywell, Moog, Panasonic and Rockwell Collins, who will support the material, repair and overhaul needs for the systems they provide on the 787.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news