AFI KLM E&M and Ascendance have signed an MoU to explore collaborations in the field of electrically powered aircraft and sustainable aviation. The contract will mainly involve line maintenance, component repair, mechanics training, and airworthiness management.
Jean-Christophe Lambert, Co-founder, and CEO of Ascendance said: “We are honored to receive this signal of interest from a major player in the field of aircraft maintenance. In parallel with our efforts to develop a new type of aircraft, it is very important for us to prepare the future of its operations today, in conjunction with the best experts in our industry. Maintenance is obviously at the center of our customers’ concerns and this collaboration with AFI KLM E&M is a major step towards providing them reliable solutions.”
Géry Mortreux, EVP Air France Industries said: “At AFI KLM E&M, we have always been on the lookout for the best innovations in aviation. In particular, we are very interested in electric and hydride electric propulsion technologies, which are set to be future business drivers over the next decade. I believe that this type of cooperation is in the general interest and is a further illustration of the general mobilization of our industry to decarbonize aviation - a collective effort in which AFI KLM E&M is of course fully involved.”
Ascendance is currently working on Atea, a 5-seat eVTOL aircraft with a 400 km range. AFI KLM E&M claims that with its experience as an airline-MRO, it will be able to answer the young aircraft maker's questions about the issues and challenges involved in developing maintenance policies that are operationally and financially efficient.