AAR tackles refurbishment supply chain challenge
MRO company’s Engineering Services and Composite departments helps airlines boost their in-house capabilities
AAR is globally known for its MRO capabilities, but it can also help airlines bolster their capabilities…
MRO company’s Engineering Services and Composite departments helps airlines boost their in-house capabilities
AAR is globally known for its MRO capabilities, but it can also help airlines bolster their capabilities when it comes to fleet cabin refurbishment.
Rob Eaton, vice president engineering & tech development, engineering services AAR explained how the MRO company helps airline customers to increase their in-house capabilities for modification programmes.
He said: “We provide turnkey integration solutions, so when an airline comes to us with a major modification programme that they would like to do, we will provide the engineering, the total programme management, all the supply chain, certification and we will also help with on site support when they do the prototype installation.”
“Generally speaking, airlines do no have the capacity to do that in-house, so we can help them supplement their in-house capacities and resources.”
Juggling a complex supply chain
Dealing with refurbishment programmes often brings up challenges of juggling dozens of different suppliers. Eaton explained that this was a particularly challenging aspect of modification programmes with airlines using their own suppliers of components such as seats and galleys alongside managing AAR’s structure, systems and electrical suppliers, all of which have to be dealt with concurrently.
As well as providing MRO services and assisting aircraft with their cabin modification programmes, AAR also has a manufacturing arm with facilities in California and Florida.
Steven Gorham VP business developments and programmes, Composites at AAR explained: “We work for aircraft manufacturers, as well as the aircraft completion centres. We provide the substructures, from flooring, sidewalls, ceilings and window surrounds to supporting aircraft interior installation. We do everything until the final finishings go on: the laminates; the vinyls and the fabrics. It’s a growing market for us that we are proud to be supporting.”
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