Messier-Bugatti has been contracted by FedEx Express to replace the steel brakes on its 43 Airbus A310-200s with carbon brakes. Work starts in September and will be completed in 2004. Messier-Bugatti will also upgrade the carbon brakes on the airline's 36 A300-600 freighters. Meanwhile, FedEx has contracted Boeing to convert three additional MD-11s to freighters. The work will be conducted by Aeronavali in Italy. Hong Kong-based spare parts provider IAA Aerospace has bought British European's entire Fokker F27 rotable spares inventory. Airfoil Technologies Singapore (ATS) has opened a S$8 million ($4.42 million) extension to its aeroengine compressor blade repair facility after its operations reached full capacity last year. ATS is a subsidiary of Airfoil Technologies International, which is itself a joint venture between Sermatech International and GE Aircraft Engines. Fairchild Dornier is repositioning its San Antonio business as an after-market support centre and structural sub-assembly centre following delivery of the final Metro 23 turboprop. Activity at the company's Texas facility will focus on supporting approximately 800 Metro commuter aircraft. Air France Industries has been awarded a 10-year contract by Airtours Group to provide full engine maintenance for the CFM56-5B powerplants on all 25 of its A320s and A321s. Aviall has been awarded distribution rights for Honeywell cabin pressurisation and air conditioning components in a 10-year deal worth $300 million. Parts for the Boeing 727, 747,MD-80 and MD-11, Douglas DC-8 and DC-10 and Lockheed L-1011 are included. Delta Air Lines' Technical Operations (TechOps) division has signed letters of intent to provide maintenance services for Miami Air International and Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737-800s. Delta TechOps will begin servicing Royal Air Maroc 737-800s, 757-200s and767-300ERs in June.
Source: Flight International
