AirAsia and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) has inked a component support agreement for the airline’s fleet of Airbus A320neo passenger jets, which is ultimately scheduled to number 304 aircraft.
AirAsia took delivery of its first A320neo on Sept 7 this year in Hamburg.
The contract between the two groups includes component repair services and solutions designed to maximise aircraft availability.
“We are delighted to find a strong partner in AFI KLM E&M and one that is as dynamic as us. Operating a new-generation aircraft at such a large scale requires adaptive, world-class support, and we have the utmost confidence that AFI KLM E&M will be able to provide us with the responsiveness, reliability and performance needed,” said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes in a statement yesterday.
With its experience of large-scale support, AFI KLM E&M is able to offer maintenance solutions for large fleets like that operated by AirAsia.
“We are very honoured that AirAsia is extending its trust to us by awarding AFI KLM E&M with the support of its brand new A320neo fleet,” said Air France CEO Franck Terner.
AFI KLM E&M currently provides component support for AirAsia’s A330 fleet operated by AirAsia X, its budget long-haul subsidiary.
That support agreement was signed in 2009 and was extended in 2013.