Jon Grevatt - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
18 July 2017
Key Points
- Airbus
and Thailand's national airline negotiate terms of partnership to support
aircraft from eastern Thai airport
- Joint venture would be part of Thailand's efforts to enhance MRO capability in the country
Airbus and Thai Airways, the country's national airline,
are discussing the terms of a potential joint venture (JV) that will focus on
providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for a range of
aircraft in Thailand.
Jane's understands that
negotiations have been ongoing for some time, and that the potential
arrangement is focused on supporting the Thai government's intention to develop
a major commercial-military MRO facility within Thailand that could evolve into
a base serving the wider Southeast Asian region.
Earlier reported by Bangkok Post.......
Aircraft centre plan to wrap up this year
7 Jul 2017 at 04:00
A study looking into the feasibility of a 15-billion-baht
joint venture between Thai Airways International (THAI) and Airbus to develop a
new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility is likely to conclude its
findings later this year.
THAI's acting president Usanee Sangsingkeo said the
results would be submitted to the authorities concerned for approval of the
venture, which falls under the public-private partnership (PPP) programme.
The study involves evaluation of the planned facility,
known as the TG MRO Complex Development at U-Tapao International Airport, worth
about 15 billion baht.
The national flag-carrier signed an initial cooperation
agreement with Airbus to study the MRO facility in March this year. The MRO is
designed to serve as an aircraft maintenance centre for the Asia-Pacific region
and would open in 2021.
Ms Usanee said THAI had been assured of the Civil
Aviation Training Centre's cooperation in developing and training staff for the
project. Ronnachai Wongchaoum, chief of the aircraft repair and maintenance
project, said the MRO facility would cover a 500-rai area at U-Tapao airport in
Rayong.
He said the study was expected to be complete in October
and an official investment agreement between THAI and Airbus could be signed in
March next year. Mr Ronnachai said a holding company would be set up to
undertake the project with THAI holding a share of no more than 51% in the MRO
centre.
The facility, to be equipped with smart hangers, digital
technology to analyse aircraft maintenance information and advanced aircraft
testing technology, will have the capacity to service between 50-60 aircraft a
year. It is expected to generate an annual income of 1.2 billion baht and
should break even in three years.
"The facility is planned to serve new generation
aircraft such as the Airbus A380. This aircraft is expected to require major
maintenance services in 5-6 years," Mr Ronnachai said.
Source: bangkokpost.com
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