Vallair, the multi-faceted aviation business dedicated to the support of aircraft operators and lessors, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Centre-Val de Loire Region and The Châteauroux Centre Airport Establishment. The LoI will see Vallair awarded a ten-year lease for a state-of-the-art full-service aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul and cargo conversion hangar adjacent to its existing aerostructures repair and logistics facility in Châteauroux, France.
“This is an important step for Vallair as we establish our blueprint for growth,” says Gregoire Lebigot, CEO of Vallair. “This new facility will be a natural extension of Vallair’s existing operations in Montpellier and Châteauroux providing maintenance, lease transfers, modifications, reconfigurations, aircraft parking and storage, as well as repairs of aerostructure and composite elements. In addition to this we will be establishing our own dedicated conversion unit which will showcase Vallair’s experience and knowledge of passenger-to-freighter conversions. Our aim is to support our customers through these challenging times and to be prepared for the surge in demand expected from the fourth quarter. Vallair currently has seven aircraft scheduled for such work in Châteauroux, with another five expected over the coming weeks. This will be our initial orderbook.”
This new hangar will soon begin to positively impact on local employment through the creation of 200 jobs which will be divided between Vallair employees and subcontractors. With a footprint of 8,500 m² the facility will be able to accommodate four A321-size aircraft, or a combination of A330s and A321s. Although completion is anticipated by Summer 2021, Vallair will continue to support this project with a forecasted €5 million (US$6 million) investment in the coming months.
