China Airlines Partners with Airbus to Upgrade Aircraft Maintenance Capability in Taiwan
Under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between China Airlines and Europe’s Airbus, Airbus will provide China Airlines with support in the development of the airline’s maintenance, engineering and technical training capabilities in Taiwan. In the future, the two companies will work together to strengthen the carrier’s maintenance capabilities for all Airbus aircraft types operated by China Airlines including the A350 XWB, A320, and A330/A340 families. The companies will also jointly evaluate different technical and business solutions.
Chairman Nuan-Hsuan Ho of China Airlines and Airbus Executive Vice President Asia Jean-Francois Laval today (1/10) signed an MOU at the China Airlines maintenance facility in Taoyuan with Minister of National Development Council Tain-Jy Chen, Minister of Economic Affairs Chih-kung Lee, Administrative Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Chih-ku Fan and Taoyuan Mayor Wen-tsan Cheng in attendance. The signing of the MOU opens up a new era for aircraft maintenance in Taiwan.
Nuan-Hsuan Ho, Chairman of China Airlines, commented: “Aircraft maintenance requires a very high degree of technical expertise and international certification. This partnership is of tremendous significance in the upgrading of our national aviation industry. China Airlines has been actively pursuing this goal for several months, since we first announced our intentions in September last year. We have fulfilled our commitment and can announce this great news today. We are delighted to sign this cooperation agreement with Airbus.” Chairman Ho noted that the industry know-how of Airbus should help China Airlines and its maintenance subsidiary TAMECO accelerate the upgrading of their maintenance capabilities for major Airbus aircraft types such as the A350 XWB.
Airbus Executive Vice President Asia Jean-Francois Laval added: “Airbus is committed to providing the best product and services solutions to China Airlines for its business success, and enhancing its capabilities in areas such as MRO and training. Airbus is very pleased to support China Airlines in developing its own commercial aviation related business in Taiwan.”
The companies will also jointly evaluate and promote CAL’s retrofit activities and cabin and airframe modifications, the feasibility of approving the airline’s maintenance training centre, and developing its maintenance training capabilities in Taiwan ranging from ab-initio programmes to courses for mechanics. The companies will also evaluate the benefits of Satair Group and other Airbus affiliates becoming key parts providers for CAL.
China Airlines and Airbus have enjoyed a fruitful association with China Airlines over many years. The latest milestone in this relationship was celebrated in September 2016 when the airline took delivery of its first A350-900 – of which it has 14 on order. As one of the earliest A350 operators in Asia, CAL will deploy this most efficient widebody aircraft on its long-haul routes to Europe and selected regional routes.
