Karen strengthens partnership with Horix Aerospace through AW139 acquisition and disassembly agreement

Karen, Switzerland’s largest private helicopter MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) provider, has announced the acquisition of an AW139 helicopter for disassembly. The company has also established a further consignment agreement with Horix Aerospace, under the Horix ‘Trust Consignment’ programme, to remarket the materials recovered from the disassembled helicopter. This new collaboration involves the first-ever AW139 helicopter disassembly in Switzerland, cementing Karen’s status as a leading European centre of excellence for the disassembly, recertification and management of Leonardo Helicopter materials.

Luca Carlino, Director of Operations at Karen, expressed the importance of this extended partnership with Horix, highlighting the value of their positive track record. He noted that the agreement allows Karen to stay focused on its core operations and maintenance, while Horix effectively manages the spare parts inventory chain. With operational bases in Switzerland and multiple locations across Europe and Africa, this collaboration further enhances Karen’s operational efficiency and reliability.

Marco Taufer, Chief Commercial Officer at Horix Aerospace, also commented on the agreement, expressing excitement about supporting Karen’s growth. He emphasised the benefits of adding the AW139 platform to their inventory of used serviceable materials (USM) through the ‘Trust Consignment’ programme. Taufer reflected on a highly successful year for Horix, with an increasing number of consignment agreements demonstrating the mutual advantages of their collaborative model. This partnership exemplifies the growing trend of businesses in the helicopter maintenance sector relying on consignment programmes to meet operational needs.

Horix Aerospace, based in Quartino, Switzerland, specialises in spare parts management solutions for the business aircraft market. Its ‘Trust Consignment’ and ‘Trust Dismantling Programs’ provide innovative and trusted solutions for aerospace component management. With over US$30 million in assets under management, Horix has emerged as a disruptive force in the industry. As a Swiss-owned and operated company, Horix combines robust capitalisation with a team of seasoned industry professionals to deliver unparalleled value to its clients.