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Mitsubishi Aircraft signs LOI with three partners to provide MRJ airframe MRO services in North America and Asia
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FARNBOROUGH, Hampshire, England, July 12, 2016 -
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation announced today that the company has selected three companies as the MRJ preferred airframe MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) partners in North America and Asia, and signed an LOI (Letter of Intent) with HAECO Americas, Pemco World Air Services (“PEMCO”) and MRO Japan separately for future collaboration to provide these services. Based on these commitments, Mitsubishi Aircraft intends to conclude a definitive agreement with each company in the near future.
In conducting aircraft maintenance operations, airlines choose to either carry out their own maintenance operations or outsource the operations to specialized companies, based on their need. To meet the needs of customer airlines that will operate the MRJ, Mitsubishi Aircraft plans to field multiple partners around the world as preferred airframe MRO service providers. Mitsubishi Aircraft has now selected one Asian and two North American partners as part of that effort based upon sales to date. Mitsubishi Aircraft will propose to customers these three companies as the MRJ preferred airframe MRO partners, which will provide high-quality MRO services.
“The conclusion of these LOIs with our initial MRJ preferred airframe MRO partners will greatly strengthen our customer support capabilities for our aircraft MRO services,” said Peter Turner, Deputy Head of Customer Support Division, Mitsubishi Aircraft. “Through collaborative efforts with these three companies during flight test and in advance of entry into service, we will reinforce and enhance our customer support network and infrastructure to exceed our customers’ expectations as they bring the MRJ aircraft into service. We will continue to identify and appoint MRJ preferred airframe MRO partners strategically determined by regional requirements as the worldwide network of MRJ operators continues to expand.”
Selection of these MRJ preferred airframe MRO partners formulates a significant part of the overall Mitsubishi Aircraft strategy to develop highquality customer support capabilities that will enable the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the MRJ Aircraft in service.
About MRJ
Mitsubishi Regional Jet is a family of 70~90-seat next-generation aircraft featuring the Pratt & Whitney's revolutionary PurePower® engine and stateof-the-art aerodynamics to drastically reduce fuel consumption, noise, and emissions, while offering top-class operational benefits, an outstanding cabin designed for heightened passenger flying comfort with large overhead bins. The MRJ completed the first flight on November 11, 2015.
About HAECO Americas
HAECO Americas is part of the HAECO Group, offering market-leading aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. The airframe unit employs over 1,000 mechanics at three locations: Greensboro, North Carolina; Lake City, Florida; and Macon, Georgia. HAECO Americas is a fully-certified FAR Part 145 provider of airframe MRO services, with STC and PMA certifications, on-site DERs, designated airworthiness representatives and designated maintenance inspection representatives. HAECO provides a comprehensive platform of services, including: A, B and C checks; heavy maintenance visits; interiors, avionics, and other modifications; passenger to freighter conversions; and a robust network of line maintenance and cabin refurbishment services.
About PEMCO
Pemco World Air Services (“PEMCO”) is an aviation maintenance, cargo conversion, and engineering company operating on four fundamental cornerstones: teammates, customer service, Lean, and metrics. With over six decades of experience, PEMCO serves commercial airlines and private customers around the world from its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, with strategic partners in China, Costa Rica, and Canada. Among its best-inclass aviation maintenance services, PEMCO provides light and heavy checks, modifications, line maintenance, and AOG field support for Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, and McDonnell Douglas aircraft. PEMCO’s cargo conversion program is the global leader in narrow-body passenger-tofreighter aircraft conversions, having developed over 70 STCs and modified over 350 aircraft.
About MRO Japan
MRO Japan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ANA Holdings established in June 2015 with decades of experiences and technological strengths of heavy maintenance work at the ANA group. Headquartered in Naha, Okinawa, the company provides aircraft maintenance, modification and painting (incl. special painting) services at Osaka International (Itami) Airport for its customers among major airlines in Japan including ANA. MRO Japan is scheduled to transfer its business operations to Naha Airport in the second half of fiscal 2017, when Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has agreed to acquire a 20% stake in MRO Japan. Following its transfer to Naha Airport, MRO Japan will leverage its high-level of quality and technology (“JAPAN Quality”) that the company has earned as an MRO provider in Japan to expand its customer base to airlines in the Asian region.
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.