MAB, APS to set up ATR propeller overhaul facility at KLIA

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) has teamed up with US-based Aircraft Propeller Service (APS) to set up an ATR aircraft turboprop propeller overhaul and repair facility at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).The facility, the first in the Asia-Pacific, will start operations in August, said MAB's Chief Operations Officer, Peter Bellew, here Tuesday.

Bellew said this at a media briefing on the development of regional aviation in Malaysia and Asia organised by turboprop aircraft maker, ATR, He said ATR's propeller overhaul and repair facilities were only available in Europe, North America and South America currently.

As the facility would be the first in the region, Bellew said, the business would flourish and improve the turnaround of the airlines. On the partnership with APS, he said, it was on a joint-venture basis.

"It will be a long-term partnership which could be ten years," he said.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

Bellew said the facility would be housed within MAB's maintenance, repair and overhaul Centre of Excellence at KLIA and serve airlines using ATR planes.

He said MAB has allocated RM16 million in capital expenditure (capex) this year for spare parts used for the ATR aircraft maintenance.

"Another RM4 million to RM8 million in capex will be used for the upgrade of aircraft hangars in Sabah and Sarawak in the next two years," he said.

Meanwhile, ATR, Eastern Support, President, Luigi Celmi, said Kuala Lumpur has been ATR's largest spare parts pool in Asia-Pacific, valued at US$18 million (RM70 million).

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

"There are 370 ATRs operating in Asia-Pacific today and the spare parts pool here is supporting nearly a third of the fleet in the region," he said. Celmi said Malaysia had proven to be successful in getting work from operators around South-East Asia.

"Airlines from Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar have been sending their aircraft to Malaysia to undergo scheduled heavy maintenance checks," he said. – Bernama

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00