BIAL in pact with AirWorks for aircraft maintenance

The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates the Bengaluru International Airport, today signed an agreement with AirWorks, an aviation ser-vices provider, to undertake third party line maintenance (TPLM) services. The agreement also makes BIAL the first airport operator in India to offer the service.

TPLM is a function performed generally by an external agency other than the airline or the airport for aircraft maintenance. In the present scenario this function is performed solely by the airlines or through affiliated airlines with no other available options.

“The airport currently handles approximately 310 air traffic movements (ATMs) per day and line maintenance is critical for the airline’s turnaround operations. By undertaking the service, we are catering to the demand of airlines in delivering world-class services with a much more economical option at the airport.” said Marcel Hungerbuehler, president, BIAL.

TPLM will aid BIAL in providing line maintenance services that are certified and cost-effectively to airlines, while offering services such as trouble shooting, defect rectification, component replacement and scheduled maintenance andôor checks including visual inspections.

“TPLM offering at the airport can be supported by the MRO (maintenance, repairs and overhaul) services from our existing airline MRO facility at Hosur. The facility is certified for Airbus 320, Boeing 737, and ATR 42/72 family base maintenance for AOG (aircraft on ground) assistance. We are the only DGCA-approved commercial player in this segment. By providing these services, BIAL has now become the first airport in India to offer certified third party line maintenance services,” says K V Krishnan, director — engineering, airline MRO, Air Works.

Air Works is one of the leading independent providers of aviation services in India, UK, Europe, West Asia and the Asia Pacific region.