A YEAR IN REVIEW, 2023 AT CAERDAV - Chris Coleman, MD

Just over 12 months ago we announced my appointment as Caerdav’s Managing Director, taking the reins as we moved towards the start of 2023.

At the time, I said: “This year has been fantastic for Caerdav, with our superb team bringing in prestigious maintenance contracts with some of the world’s largest aviation businesses. Moving into the new year I’m excited to be leading this team as we look to continue building on these successes.”

Looking at that quote, I could simply repeat the sentiment for this year and leave it there! As a business, our incredible team has worked tirelessly throughout 2023 to deliver equally as impressive results, building on existing and establishing new relationships with a growing list of customers and suppliers.

As the industry continues to put the crippling impact of the Covid-19 pandemic behind it, we have become a trusted partner to those customers, providing efficient, timely, quality work that ensures minimal downtime and optimum turnaround times for their aircraft.

This, of course, includes Ryanair, who returned to St. Athan for another winter maintenance season, and I am proud of the service we have provided to them so far. We also look forward to working with our valued suppliers, plus our airline, lessor and OEM customers throughout 2024.

The extension of winter maintenance into the traditional spring shoulder season is something that is having a huge impact on the industry as a whole. With more aircraft returning to service, the demand for maintenance slots certainly outstrips their availability. As one of the UK’s only truly independent MROs, we can offer flexible solutions to any airline or lessor looking for a premium service moving into those summer months.?

To accommodate this additional demand, we have some major business developments we’re excited to share in the new year, but for now we’re going to keep those under wraps – though they will certainly kick start the next stage in Caerdav’s growth plans!

I can’t talk about 2023 without mentioning our incredible Apprentices and the members of our team who work so diligently with them all. Our second intake is doing phenomenally well, and we look forward to building on that success in 2024.?

Special mention has to go out to Kaleb Szymanski , who received a Highly Commended Award in the WorldSkills UK Aircraft Maintenance Competition earlier in the year. More recently, Ben Puzey was named Aeronautical Student of the Year at the Cardiff & Vale College Awards. While Caerdav picked up the Business and Partner Award for our collaboration with the ICAT Ltd - International Centre for Aerospace Training . Outstanding results all round.

I’m extremely proud of everyone for what they’ve achieved this year, and at risk of sounding repetitive: “I’m excited to be leading this team as we look to continue building on these successes!”

Thank you, also, to our customers, suppliers and anyone else we’ve worked with this year. Have a great festive break – if you’re having one! – and here’s to a prosperous 2024!