GKN Aerospace’s Fokker Techniek business has successfully completed its first major maintenance project on an Airbus A330, marking a step for the MRO into the widebody market.
The aircraft was delivered to the Spanish airline, Air Europa, which has previously awarded heavy maintenance projects for its Boeing 737 narrowbody fleet to Fokker Techniek.
While the MRO successfully performed a cabin modification package on another A330 last year, this was the first ‘major’ widebody maintenance project for the business’s MRO and Completion centre in Woensdrecht, The Netherlands.
The required training, tooling and equipment for wide-body maintenance have now all been obtained. GKN Aerospace says approvals and further commitments are secured to add this first widebody aircraft type to the portfolio.
Jeff Armitage, managing director of GKN Aerospace’s Fokker Techniek business, said: “I am happy and proud to announce that we will bring this great facility to the next level. By entering the widebody market, new opportunities will arise. This will include stepping into the world of modern composite aircraft in the years to come.”
Alberto Linés, Air Europa’s maintenance and engineering director, congratulated the Fokker team on their first A330 base maintenance check, adding: “For Air Europa it is paramount to match committed aircraft downtimes and Fokker successfully matched the dates.”
