DUBAI- Emirates (EK), recognized as the world’s largest international airline and the largest operator of A380 aircraft, is intensifying its investments to enhance operational efficiency, ensure fleet performance, and bolster the reliability of its double-decker fleet well into the next decade.
During the Dubai Airshow, the airline inked agreements exceeding USD $1.5 billion with an expanded network of providers and partners.
Emirates MROs Deal for A380
This collaboration includes industry leaders such as Honeywell, Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Safran, Lufthansa Technik, OEM Services, Gameco, Haeco, and others. The goal is to deliver top-notch aviation aftermarket services and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services.
Emirates plans to capitalize on the expertise and capabilities of its partners at a significant scale, optimizing the lifespan of its A380 fleet and achieving additional operational efficiency gains, all aligned with the airline’s stringent standards.
The array of services provided by these partners encompasses maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, parts provisioning, component repairs, and technical support.
This ongoing initiative aligns with Emirates’ steadfast commitment to quality, ensuring that customers can continue enjoying the airline’s signature onboard products and services for years.
Simultaneously, as the maintenance work progresses on its A380 fleet, Emirates is advancing with the industry’s most extensive retrofit program valued at USD $2 billion, poised to elevate the onboard experience to new heights.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, expressed,
“The A380 has played and will continue to play a vital role in the Emirates narrative. Its substantial size and capacity have empowered Emirates to foster growth at some of the world’s busiest airports, creating new possibilities for travelers and significantly enhancing standards for passenger comfort. Our unwavering dedication to and trust in the A380 are evident in our substantial investments aimed at maintaining the fleet in optimal condition. The A380 will continue to be a cornerstone of our network and customer offering for the next decade, and we are committed to ensuring that our fleet remains in impeccable condition.”
Major MRO Partnership
Emirates and Collins Aerospace have entered into a long-term agreement to facilitate the A380 Main Landing Gear overhaul program for the airline. Collins Aerospace, a crucial partner for Emirates, will offer local support in the UAE, covering a significant portion of the landing gear overhaul scope for A380 aircraft.
For the A380 Nose Landing Gear, Emirates has exclusively enlisted Safran Landing Systems, which will provide specialized services. Leveraging its extensive network, including MRO facilities in Singapore and France, Safran will deliver expertise, capabilities, and tailored support services throughout the A380’s landing systems lifecycle.
Honeywell has been chosen to supply wheels and carbon brakes for 116 A380 aircraft. The advanced wheel and braking designs by Honeywell contribute to weight savings, reduced maintenance costs, and extended overall brake life. Maintenance activities for wheels and brakes will be conducted at Emirates maintenance facilities, ensuring continuous support in Dubai.
Emirates has extended its 15-year partnership with OEMServices, encompassing ongoing component support for the airline’s A380. This collaboration includes the provision of spare parts, repair services, and engineering support.
In a maintenance and support agreement, Pratt and Whitney will cater to Emirates’ PW980 Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), recognized as the most powerful APUs in commercial service. The agreement is designed to ensure timely and effective maintenance planning and support for Emirates.
Emirates has strategically developed a network of MRO partners to provide comprehensive nose-to-tail line-base maintenance services. The airline has closely collaborated with these providers to align with its commercial and technical performance requirements consistently.
90 A380s
Lufthansa Technik has been enlisted to provide Base Maintenance Services (BMS) for Emirates’ A380s, including additional C Checks over the next three years. Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) in Manila will perform the C Checks.
The Manila facility, serving as Lufthansa Technik’s competence center for Base Maintenance Services, has already conducted numerous heavy checks for Emirates’ A380s since January. Additionally, Emirates has entered a main landing gear agreement with Lufthansa Technik to address future overhaul requirements.
Furthermore, Emirates has inked agreements with Gameco, based in Guangzhou, China, and Haeco in Xiamen, China, for A380 C Checks scheduled to commence in January and February 2024, respectively.
Emirates, currently operating nearly 90 A380s with more to join the active fleet soon, initiated a retrofit program last year. The comprehensive project involves refreshing 67 A380s across all cabin classes and introducing new Premium Economy Class cabins.
Sixteen aircraft have already undergone upgrades and are in full commercial service. The Emirates Engineering team is overseeing this unprecedented industry-scale retrofit project.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.