Alpha Component Solutions launched

Contracts cover 500-plus aircraft; operations to begin this year

JV to provide parts supply, maintenance and repair services

[Provided by Air France]
[Provided by Air France]

Air France-KLM Group and Airbus announced Tuesday the establishment of a joint venture called Alpha Component Solutions to provide component support for the long-haul A350 aircraft.

Each company holds a 50 percent stake in the venture. Alpha Component Solutions will build a shared A350 parts supply system for airlines worldwide and provide component assets along with maintenance, supply chain management and repair services.

The joint venture draws on the capabilities of AFI KLM E&M, the Air France-KLM Group's specialized aircraft maintenance subsidiary. The partners plan to combine AFI KLM E&M's operational and maintenance expertise with Airbus's global support capabilities to improve parts availability and maintenance efficiency.

The venture will also develop tailored solutions to meet the evolving needs of A350 operators around the world, with a view to addressing the expected long-term growth in A350 demand.

Alpha Component Solutions has already secured component support contracts covering more than 500 aircraft globally and has completed the buildout of a global service network to support both existing and new airline customers. Full operations are set to begin this year.

Anne Brachet, executive vice president of engineering and maintenance at Air France-KLM Group, said reliable parts supply and maintenance are essential for airlines to sustain aircraft utilization rates and operational efficiency. "Building on AFI KLM E&M's extensive aircraft maintenance expertise and the experience accumulated through airline operations, we will deliver solutions optimized for each airline's operating environment," she said.

Cristina Aguilar Grieder, senior vice president of customer services for commercial aircraft at Airbus, called the joint venture "an important step forward in further strengthening A350 component support services."

The A350 is a wide-body, twin-aisle long-haul aircraft manufactured by Airbus. Air France operates the A350 as one of its core aircraft on long-haul routes and currently deploys the A350-900 on its Incheon–Paris service.

Air France is France's national carrier, founded in 1933. The airline employs more than 40,000 people and is a global leader in passenger transport, cargo and aircraft maintenance. It became part of the Air France-KLM Group through a merger with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in 2004. The airline is based at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and is a member of the SkyTeam alliance.


eyre@heraldcorp.com