Airbus and Air France to create JV for worldwide A350 component maintenance services

It has been announced that Airbus SAS (Airbus) and Air France SA (Air France), the subsidiary of Air France-KLM, are to combine resources for the creation of a 50:50 joint venture. This JV is for the provision of component maintenance services (supply chain management, repairs, creation of a worldwide pool of aircraft components for the Airbus A350 long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner.

The collaboration will see the transfer of aircraft component assets belonging to both partners into the JV pool. It will also amalgamate the expertise of Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance and Airbus, to better meeting the growing long-term maintenance requirements of the Airbus A350 worldwide fleet (over 1,000 aircraft on order and 550 aircraft presently in service worldwide) through enhanced capacity, an expanded global footprint, and the development of innovative solutions. The aim is for the joint venture to be up and running by the first half of 2024 in line with all compliance requirements and subject to approval from all relevant authorities.

Anne Brachet, Executive Vice President Air France-KLM Engineering & Maintenance, declared: “This project aims to bring customers the best expertise of our two companies on a product as high-tech as the A350. We will be able to better respond to the needs of the market, and to guarantee the satisfaction of our customers over the long term, with support solutions that are always responsive, of high quality and at the right price”.

Cristina Aguilar, Senior Vice President Customer Services at Airbus, added: “We’re in the business of offering the very best service to our customers, and as the world’s A350 fleet grows, so does the necessary support. Air France-KLM Engineering & Maintenance and Airbus have a long-standing relationship and pooling our complementary A350 component skills and capabilities will deliver an enhanced service.”