Airbus: Big potential for MRO operations in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: France-based aircraft manufacturer Airbus foresees a big potential to increase maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations in Malaysia and is mulling the possibility of expanding the footprint of its joint-venture maintenance outfit, Sepang Aircraft Engineering (SAE).
SAE, an Airbus subsidiary, is an EASA-approved independent aircraft MRO service provider specialising in the maintenance and overhaul of Airbus single-aisle aircraft.
“The form (of expansion) is not yet clear but we definitely intend to extend the footprint of SAE. So, we are studying several possibilities,” Fabrice Bregier, president, Airbus Commercial Aircraft, told a press conference yesterday.
The hangar at SAE is capable of accommodating three A320 Family aircraft for major maintenance checks. This is in addition to the existing hangar which can accommodate six single-aisle aircraft at any one time.
Bregier told the press conference that the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) took delivery of its fourth and last Airbus A400M in Spain on Wednesday.
“Malaysia is the first export nation for the A400M,” he said.
RMAF ordered four of the world’s most versatile and technology advanced airlifter. The Subang-based RMAF houses the largest dedicated A400M hangar in the region. – Bernama