Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways Engineering, a leading commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider in the Middle East, has signed a collaboration agreement with Argentina’s main aircraft manufacturer, Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA).

The agreement aims to serve MRO customers in South America, said a statement from the company.

The agreement enables both companies to leverage their strengths and become significant players in the narrow body aircraft maintenance market in South America, it said.

As part of the collaboration, Etihad Airways Engineering will support FAdeA in developing the processes and capabilities to maintain and modify aircraft and aircraft components, it added.

Abdul Khaliq Saeed, chief executive officer, Etihad Airways Engineering, said: “We have built a strong customer base in Latin America, having carried out heavy maintenance work on a range of aircraft types from Airbus A330 to Boeing 767, 777 and the 787 Dreamliner for customers in Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Colombia.”

“We’re pleased to collaborate with FAdeA and share our expertise and extensive capabilities to serve customers in the region,” he added.

Antonio Beltramone, president FAdeA, said: “This is a strategic agreement for our company that allows us to maximise the potential of our highly skilled labour force and facilities to provide sustainability for our company, and conquer new commercial aviation markets.”

The partnership will capitalise on the existing facilities and manpower of FAdeA, coupled with Etihad Airways Engineering’s MRO expertise as well as its strong customer footprint in Latin America.

Etihad Airways Engineering will be FAdeA’s preferred partner for Part 21J Engineering and Part 21G Production.

Following the signing of the multi-year agreement, seven Airbus A320 aircraft belonging to LAN Argentina were reconfigured at FAdeA facilities and more projects are planned in the coming months, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service