South African airline Airlink has signed a spare parts inventory support agreement with Embraer, covering the carrier's all-Embraer fleet of 68 aircraft.
The agreement will see Airlink become the first African customer for the customised Embraer collaborative inventory planning (ECIP) management system, which will optimise its inventory levels and reduce its operational cost for its fleet of ERJ and E-jets.
“The longstanding relationship between Embraer and Airlink has matured over time through mutual understanding and close collaboration,” said Airlink CEO and managing director Rodger Foster.
Embraer Services & Support president and CEO Carlos Naufel commented: “This deal shows the airline's trust in our support. We will work even harder to help Airlink gain efficiency and reduce inventory costs in all operations through ECIP, a programme that offers the best-in-class performance customised to each inventory, while providing access to Embraer's global logistics network.
Under the programme, most of the inventory investment is done by Embraer, reducing substantially the investment usually carried out by airlines.