British Airways is executing a strategic expansion of its maintenance capabilities through the acquisition of Boeing’s hangar facility and MRO operations at London Gatwick Airport (LGW). The acquisition will establish British Airways Engineering Gatwick (BAEG), which will join other existing engineering sites including those in South Wales (BAEW) and Glasgow (BAMG). It will also bring specialized maintenance expertise and advanced facilities under control of the airline, which it says will enhance their technical service capabilities.
British Airways Chief Technical Officer Andy Best confirmed the importance of the acquisition of Boeing’s Gatwick facility, saying the integration of specialized maintenance expertise and advanced hangar facilities into BA’s engineering portfolio. The expansion strengthens BA’s fleet reliability while enhancing customer service capabilities, Best emphasized. He also welcomed the transfer of Boeing’s Licensed Aircraft Engineers with more staff to be hired in the future.
“Today’s announcement will help us to be the very best in the business by bringing in the skills and expertise of former Boeing colleagues and adding a large, modern hangar to our portfolio of engineering facilities. It will support the reliability of our entire fleet, which is good news for our customers and colleagues,” said Best. “I’d like to welcome our new colleagues to British Airways, including highly-skilled and experienced Licensed Aircraft Engineers. I’m delighted that, subject to consultation, they will be joining the BA family and I hope to be recruiting more people in the future.”
Use of the Boeing facility will allow BA to carry out minor maintenance on Boeing 777s at the airport and in-source scheduled heavy maintenance on its Airbus A320 and A321 fleet. Last year, the carrier announced a multi-billion pound investment in its engineering maintenance facility at Cardiff Airport.