Date:04/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/11/04/stories/2009110450550500.htm

Back Air Work’s repair facility gets European certification

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Nov. 3 Air Work’s Hosur-based Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility has become the first Indian company to get European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification.

Addressing a press conference, the Executive Director, Air Works, Mr Ravi S. Menon, said that the latest certification will help it take up MRO work on more aircraft from around the globe.

“The certification will not only help us capture more market share here but also look for business internationally in places as far as Europe,” said Mr Menon.

Company officials claimed that the maintenance cost for Indian carriers has typically been higher due to the non-availability of an EASA-approved MRO company in the country.

“Airlines not having an in-house MRO capacity have no choice but to send their aircraft abroad. This results in the airline company not only having to pay for the services in foreign exchange but also incurring loss of revenue as the aircraft is out of service. But with the EASA and DGCA certification now with the Hosur facility, airline companies can cut their maintenance costs which account for a major part of the airline expense,” a senior official said.