Safran Aircraft Engines and AFI KLM E&M unveil new joint venture – Airfoils Advanced Solutions

Safran Aircraft Engines and AFI KLM E&M have started the construction phase of a new engine component repair facility, Airfoils Advanced Solutions, a year after the joint venture was first announced. Located in the Sars-et-Rosières business park in north of France, the facility, when completed in 2018, should employ between 200 and 250 staff. Safran Aircraft Engines holds a 51% stake and AIR FRANCE KLM 49% and who, combined, will invest in excess of 20 million euros in the business.
Airfoils Advanced Solutions will be responsible for repairing high-pressure compressor blades and variable stator vanes, focusing on the CFM International CFM56 engines powering the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, GE’s GE90 engines powering the Boeing 777, and the Engine Alliance GP7200 for the Airbus A380 super-jumbo.
The new premises will cover approaching 15,000 m² (162,000 ft²). Airfoils Advanced Solutions will also be involved in repair solutions development, including cutting-edge repairs for fleets serviced by parent companies Safran Aircraft Engines and AFI KLM E&M.
“The founding of this joint venture is a major step forward in our repair capabilities for the high-pressure sections of engines serviced by Safran Aircraft Engines and AFI KLM E&M. It’s also a tremendous opportunity for Safran Aircraft Engines to strengthen our position as a major supplier of engine MRO services. We are also very proud to see that this strategic business line, requiring highly qualified personnel, will be located in our local communities,” said François Planaud, Executive Vice President, Services & MRO, Safran Aircraft Engines.
According to Anne Brachet, Executive Vice President of Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance, added: “This joint venture reflects AFI KLM E&M’s development strategy, which is rooted in innovation and the development of new repair solutions to continuously improve the competitiveness of our engine support services. We will continue to invest in France, the Netherlands and worldwide to better serve all customers in our global MRO network. Airfoils Advanced Solutions is the latest concrete expression of our development goals, and it is an honor to build this joint-venture with a partner like Safran.”