AFI KLM E&M has been granted Part 145 approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) authorizing it to carry out line maintenance for airlines operating the A350. Engaged in a program to develop its dedicated A350 maintenance capabilities, AFI KLM E&M has with this new approval extended its commercial offering with the launch of line maintenance services. The Group has already provided technical assistance services on customer's A350s at the Rome outstation, and has contracted with Vietnam Airlines to deliver line maintenance services at Paris-CDG.
The Group's A350 MRO offering benefits from the unique experience and earlier investment in new-generation aircraft fleets operating similar technology, like the A380 and the Boeing 787, for which the AFI KLM E&M offering has already been taken up by several major airlines. Being granted Part 145 approval by EASA for A350 line maintenance is an important stage in the maintenance development plan that AFI KLM E&M is implementing to offer their MRO services for the new-generation airplane.
Franck Terner, EVP AIR FRANCE KLM E&M, said: "Based on its unique experience as an Airline/MRO on A380 and 787, AFI KLM E&M is quickly ramping up its A350 support services. On the line maintenance segment, following Paris-CDG and Rome, AFI KLM E&M will deploy its A350 capability across its global network to meet the needs of operating airlines, including AIR FRANCE KLM fleets.