Aircraft Maintenance Services

UK airline signs long-term component maintenance contract with AFI KLM E&M for new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

Virgin Atlantic has decided to entrust component support services to AFI KLM E&M for its new fleet of Dreamliners which begin entry into service later this year. The contract strengthens an existing relationship between the two partners and covers component and APU maintenance, along with pool access and the supply of a Main Base Kit holding in London for the Boeing 787-9s the UK airline has on order. 
 
As the longstanding main component maintenance service provider for the Virgin Atlantic fleet, AFI KLM E&M benefitted from the British carrier's satisfaction with existing contracts in component maintenance on its Boeing 747-400, Airbus A330 and Airbus A340 fleets, as well as engine maintenance on CFM56- 5C engines. By adding the 787 to its portfolio, AFI KLM E&M remains Virgin Atlantic Airways' preferred provider for airframe component services. To meet Virgin Atlantic's requirements, AFI KLM E&M demonstrated its adaptability with a tailor-made offer in terms of, quality, reliability and the ability to address the cost base. AFI KLM E&M is currently the only MRO on the market backed by an airline that has opted to include the Dreamliner in its own fleet.

Increased trust
Phil Maher, Virgin Atlantic Director of Aircraft Operations, said: "We are extremely pleased to extend our work with AFI KLM E&M because of the technical expertise and quality demonstrated in its maintenance of our A330, A340 and 747 components. They have demonstrated flexibility to react to any challenge and we have the utmost confidence in their team to deliver the results we require."
According to Ton Dortmans, Executive Vice President KLM E&M, "This agreement is a source of great satisfaction for us as it strengthens our position in the UK market and on the high-growth Dreamliner product". Franck Terner, Executive Vice President AIR FRANCE KLM Engineering & Maintenance, added: "We especially appreciate this latest mark of trust on the part of Virgin Atlantic, a long-standing partner which knows it can count on our Group's excellent quality of services."

About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic Airways is 51% owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin group and 49% by Delta Air Lines. Its fleet of 40 aircraft operates services to 35 destinations worldwide. Since it was set up 29 years ago, Virgin Atlantic has become the UK's second biggest long-haul airline to serve the world's principal cities. It operates flights from the UK to Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, North America, the Caribbean, and Australia.