AAR and AFI KLM E&M to Form a Joint Venture For Nacelle MRO Services

In the Asia-Pacific region, AAR CORP. and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) have joined forces to form a new joint venture devoted to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for next-generation aircraft nacelles. This is the two businesses' second partnership; the first was a 2021 joint venture with Triumph Product Support, which AAR purchased earlier this year to service the Americas.

AAR's Chonburi, Thailand, site will host the new facility, specializing in sophisticated nacelle MRO services. It will provide clients with comprehensive part availability in addition to on-wing and on-site inspections. The joint venture seeks to provide operators in the area first-rate service and support by fusing the capabilities of a global airline MRO with those of an independent MRO provider.

Both businesses emphasized their dedication to meeting the changing demands of the aviation sector while upholding their stellar reputations. The project will assist operators with more efficiency and dependability by adding to a worldwide network of nacelle service providers. The partnership's official establishment is awaiting regulatory clearance.

"This partnership with AAR strengthens both our positions in the Asia-Pacific region. We will guarantee excellent MRO services with increased efficiency, dependability, and part availability due to our experience, proximity, and sustainable supply chain," said Benjamin Moreau, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Business Development at AFI KLM E&M, responding to the new joint venture.

Jim Berberet, Senior Vice President of Component Services at AAR, highlighted the joint venture's strategic advantage: “We can service a wide range of operators and broaden our nacelle capabilities offering by fusing the knowledge and creative methods of AAR and AFI KLM E&M. We want to continue covering more engine nacelle types in the future, and our joint venture will be well-positioned to address the demands of the biggest fleets in the APAC region.”

In line with industry developments, this partnership expands both businesses' presence in the Asia-Pacific region?and establishes new standards for nacelle MRO services.