Cabin Modifications back in business

With its participation in the Hamburg Aircraft Interiors Expo from 14-16 June, AFI KLM E&M is active again into cabin modifications market: after two years of crises that rocked the market, let's take a look at how things are shaping up.

While the search for the least savings had become vital, Cabin Modification services felt the full force of investments being frozen overnight during the health crisis.

“The first rumblings of a recovery are now being felt; requests and inquiries are ramping up,” declares Thomas Sonigo, Head of Cabin Modification Products at AFI KLM E&M.

“As we head into this year’s peak travel season with airlines needing to re-establish cash flow, they’re not ready to take aircraft out of rotation just yet – but we’re anticipating an increase in requests after the summer holiday season ends.” Cabin redesign projects are therefore expected to spike in preparation for summer 2023 and 2024.

Reshuffling the deck

The first visible effect that the crisis had on the market was that certain airlines ceased operations, while others are now just launching. When an aircraft changes hands, it will inevitably need a new configuration and branding.?

“We’ve just finished a project for a Danish airline, which was launched in 2019. In order to assemble a fleet in the wake of covid, they acquired this aircraft from an airline that had ceased operations. We are observing a similar phenomenon with the crisis in Ukraine: with Russian airlines having been blacklisted, several leasing companies are looking for alternative operators to hire their aircraft out to".

Adapting the cabin to the situation

Recovery strategies can sometimes differ from one airline to another. While major groups such as Air France-KLM choose to move upmarket, other airlines may want to adapt their offer by reducing the number of business seats in favor of the economy or premium economy cabin. These strategies, which correspond to the targeted needs of passenger customers, must find a response in the design of the cabins, whether through densification or, conversely, through increased comfort and intimacy, as in the new cabins proposed by Air France.

Boosting availability and agility?

Regardless of which path they take, operators may have to make concessions in terms of the availability of parts – particularly new parts, which are suffering from extended lead times.

“At AFI KLM E&M we maintain an inventory of parts, which can prove extremely useful when it comes to meeting urgent requests. This responsiveness in terms of both supply and project completion is particularly appreciated by leasing companies, as the key challenge for them is keeping the transition period between two operators as short as possible.”

Looking ahead

If airlines and lessors are turning to AFI KLM E&M for their cabin modification projects, it is also because, as an airline-MRO, we speak the language of operators.?

“Our expertise is globally recognized for the long-haul aircraft like the A330 or the 777 and can extend to medium-haul. This not to mention our capabilities in terms of modifications to avionics, on-board systems, connectivity, etc. Our ambitions for the future are focused on new-generation aircraft A350 and 787. From design innovations or new developments to the reduction of the carbon footprint of cabin modifications, all the new designs made for our mother airlines can benefit to the market and we intend to share with our customers on demand."

Any questions about Cabin Modification Solutions?

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