Category: Avionics

Storm Aviation Expands GO Team into Global AOG Recovery Hub Backed by FL Technics Group

Storm Aviation, the UK-based MRO and part of FL Technics Group, has taken on a new role as the central coordination hub for Aircraft on Ground (AOG) recovery across the group. The move expands the reach of its established GO Team, giving operators a single point of contact for rapid response technical recovery.

Backed by the global network of the FL Technics Group, which has over 100 line maintenance stations worldwide and seven base maintenance hangars, including in Lithuania, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Indonesia and the Dominican Republic, as well as stock of spare parts in Dubai, Singapore and Vilnius. This model provides broader geographical coverage, including the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and beyond. It also offers faster response times and simplified coordination wherever an incident occurs.

With operations spanning different regions, recovery teams can be deployed closer to the aircraft, helping reduce response times while keeping coordination centralised through Storm Aviation’s GO Team.

Storm Aviation has been supporting time-critical aircraft recoveries for 30 years, bringing extensive operational experience to its new role. The move significantly expands the scope of support available to operators. It combines Storm Aviation’s rapid response expertise with the wide capabilities of FL Technics Group, providing broad geographical coverage, streamlined coordination, and access to additional technical resources.

“Storm Aviation’s GO Team acts as the lead coordinator for AOG recovery across the group,” said Saulius Bajarunas, COO of FL Technics Group. “Our role is to put the best capability of the `group – our engineers, tooling, approvals and global footprint – behind every recovery the GO Team coordinates. For airlines, ACMI providers, lessors, and other aircraft operators, that means broader geographical coverage, faster access to technical resources, and simpler coordination when time is critical.”

AOG events require operators to return a grounded aircraft to service as quickly as possible, often involving the coordination of engineers, specialised tooling, spare parts, and maintenance approvals across multiple locations. Under the new model, a single request to Storm Aviation’s GO Team initiates the entire recovery process. The team assesses the situation, mobilises the required resources, coordinates tooling and parts logistics, and manages the recovery through to return to service. Operators no longer need to make multiple calls, send queries to different units or source separate partners across regions.

“Coordinating AOG recovery for the entire FL Technics Group is the next step in our story,” said Thomas Buckley, CEO of Storm Aviation. “Operators no longer have to chase multiple contacts across time zones. They have a single point of contact through our GO Team, and behind that team stands the entire capability of the FL Technics Group. Wherever your airline needs technical recovery assistance, we can mobilise faster and with greater certainty.”

U. S. Airlines Confirm the Operational Case for ADS-B In, Yet Only a Third Treat the Technology as a Commercial Investment

  • Almost six in ten (58%) US airline professionals view ADS-B In primarily as a safety imperative, but only a third (34%) see it as a commercial decision justified by operational and fuel savings 
  • More than four in five (84%) agree ADS-B In will deliver measurable fuel and emissions savings, but show lack of clarity on the ROI 
  • Almost nine in ten (87%) expect it to help ease runway capacity constraints at major US airports over the next three to five years 

New research from Acron Aviation finds that U.S. airline professionals see ADS-B In primarily as a safety measure, with the commercial case widely accepted yet rarely driving investment decisions. The findings come from a survey of 100 US airline management professionals and from part of Acron Aviation’s “ADS-B In: Industry readiness report 2026”.

ADS-B In is the receiving half of the ADS-B system already fitted to commercial aircraft. It gives pilots a GPS-precise view of surrounding traffic up to 180 nautical miles, updated every second, and supports applications including Cockpit Display of Traffic Information Assisted Visual Separation (CAVS) and Interval Management (IM). FAA operational evaluation at Dallas-Fort Worth with American Airlines logged an average 12-second reduction in arrival spacing, four to five additional landings per hour per runway, and 490,000 lbs of fuel saved in the first year.

Asked which statement best reflects their view on ADS-B In investment, almost six in ten (58%) said it was a safety priority the industry should act on regardless of mandates. Only a third (34%) said it makes strong commercial sense on the basis of operational and fuel savings. Yet asked separately whether ADS-B In will deliver measurable fuel and emissions savings, more than four in five (84%) agreed, and almost nine in ten (87%) said it will help address runway capacity constraints at major US airports over the next three to five years. Additionally, more than eight in ten (85%) of airline professionals predicted that fleets which equip earlier will have a meaningful commercial advantage. 

The study also shows that the day-to-day problems ADS-B In solves are top of mind for airline professionals. Almost all respondents (99%) rated fuel costs and consumption as a significant challenge for their fleet today, and 98% said the same about on-time performance and schedule reliability. More than nine in ten (93%) flagged runway capacity and congestion at major airports, and aircraft spacing and arrival sequencing inefficiencies, as significant challenges.

Safety worries sit alongside those pressures. More than nine in ten (92%) said they are concerned about pilot workload and situational awareness gaps, and a similar number cited (89%) near-miss incidents in congested terminal airspace, (86%) runway incursions and ground conflicts, and more than four in five (83%) about mid-air collisions between commercial aircraft.

When asked to rate the importance of specific ADS-B In benefits to their airline’s decision-making, the commercial outcomes rank at the very top alongside safety. Almost all (97%) rated improving on-time performance as very or extremely important, along with reducing fuel consumption. Better collaboration between pilots and air traffic control was rated equally highly by respondents (98%) with improving pilot situational awareness and safety close behind at 97%.

“Safety is the headline rationale for ADS-B In, and past events demonstrate why,” said Damien Moreau, president of Acron Aviation’s ACSS. “Yet the data tells us something else, which is that the operational challenges operators face such as fuel consumption, arrival spacing and so on, ADS-B In can help address. When airline professionals tell us fuel is a significant challenge and that they expect this technology to deliver fuel savings, both safety and operational benefits need to be part of the conversation.”

Cam Morast, product manager at ACSS, said: “What we see in operational service backs up what the survey shows. The Dallas-Fort Worth evaluation with American Airlines produced tighter arrival spacing, four to five extra landings per hour per runway, hundreds of thousands of pounds of fuel saved, and zero separation-related safety incidents. The fact that both safety and operational benefits arise from this technology is why we are seeing airlines moving now to equip their fleets.”

The findings are released as the ALERT Act, which has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, and is subject to Congressional review looks likely to mandate ADS-B In equipage on most aircraft by December 31, 2031.

The full report, including the readiness data, investment drivers and barriers, is available here.

HAECO to Form JV with Sun Group, Toyota Tsusho and Japan Airlines for New Aircraft Maintenance Facility

HAECO to Form JV with Sun Group, Toyota Tsusho and Japan Airlines for New Aircraft Maintenance Facility

The HAECO Group will form a joint venture with Sun Group, Toyota Tsusho and Japan Airlines to establish a new maintenance facility at Van Don International Airport in Vietnam. The $360 million project forms part of HAECO’s long-term growth strategy in Asia and will expand local maintenance capacity in Vietnam by bringing international standards, proven systems and operational best practice to support domestic and global airline customers.

Subject to government and regulatory approvals, the new maintenance facility will cover approximately 170,000 square meters and will be one of the largest hangars in Vietnam. It will be centered on a four-bay widebody hangar, with additional flexibility for narrowbody maintenance in the mid-bays. The facility is also planned with a multi-level administration and support building at the rear, together with annex buildings, engineering spare and material storerooms, a power station, canteen and training rooms, creating an integrated base maintenance hub designed for efficient operations and future expansion.

Sustainability principles will be built into the facility design from the outset, reflecting HAECO’s focus on more efficient and responsible operations across its network. Planned features include smart building systems for power monitoring and control, LED lighting, electrification of ground equipment and wastewater management measures. The facility will also be established to meet the relevant regulatory approval requirements, including approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, subject to final certification arrangements. Operations at the new facility are targeted to commence in late 2028.

The project is expected to create over 1,000 high-skilled jobs and support the development of a sustainable local talent pipeline through structured training and capability building programs. HAECO has already begun this process, with Vietnamese recruits hired and currently training at HAECO’s facilities in Xiamen in preparation for future roles at the new facility.

As the new initiative is developed, HAECO plans to incorporate advanced digital tools, technology enabled processes and AI-enabled applications into its operations, creating opportunities for local talent to build skills in modern aviation support and related technologies.

“This joint venture marks an important milestone in HAECO’s growth strategy in Asia and for the development of aviation maintenance capability in Vietnam,” said Richard Sell, chief executive officer of HAECO Group. “HAECO is grateful for the strong support of the local government and authorities in Vietnam for enabling this investment, and for the partnership, trust and shared commitment of Sun Group, Toyota Tsusho and Japan Airlines. By combining HAECO’s global MRO expertise with the complementary strengths of our partners, we are creating a high-quality, independent maintenance facility that will support airline customers in Vietnam and internationally, while contributing to skills development, capability building and the long-term growth of the country’s aviation ecosystem.”

FL Technics Certified by IDAC to Start Aircraft Maintenance in Dominican Republic

FL Technics Certified by IDAC to Start Aircraft Maintenance in Dominican Republic

FL Technics has received RAD-145 Maintenance Organization certification from the Instituto Dominicano De Aviación Civil (IDAC) to begin operations at its new independent aviation MRO facility in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana). The approval marks a key step, paving the way for certified aircraft maintenance services in the fast-growing region and supporting local job creation and higher safety standards.

FL Technics has received certification from the Instituto Dominicano De Aviación Civil (IDAC) for its new maintenance hub in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. This certification clears the way for the company to launch services and deliver certified maintenance to local airlines and operators.

“This certification opens the door to significant growth opportunities in the region. With the IDAC certificate in place, we are now positioned to support the development of aviation and provide reliable maintenance services from our new facility in Punta Cana,” said Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics Group.

Obtaining the IDAC certification was an important milestone for FL Technics, a newly approved maintenance organization (AMO) in the Dominican Republic. Without this recognition, the company would be unable to provide services to Dominican-registered aircraft or to meet the host country’s regulatory standards.

The certification involved a five-phase process. It started with a pre-application assessment to confirm eligibility and define the scope of maintenance services, followed by the submission and review of documentation to ensure compliance. Regulators then conducted on-site inspections of systems, equipment, and staff credentials before issuing the approval certificate.

“Our ability to achieve certification at Punta Cana came down to the steady, detailed work our team carried out at every step,” says Mejico Angeles-Lithgow, CEO of FL Technics Dominican Republic. “It was a disciplined effort, led by our quality and project managers, to meet all regulatory demands and show our actual readiness to operate to international standards.”

Located in the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone, FL Technics’ maintenance hangar covers 20,000 square meters, with five maintenance bays in its initial phase, with plans to expand to 20 bays in the coming years. The initial layout will enable the facility to perform heavy maintenance on the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families.

With an investment of $70 million, the project is designed to create over 300 local jobs in the near term and an estimated 2,000 jobs overall, while introducing international standards for aircraft repair and flight safety. As demand for aircraft maintenance continues to climb across the Americas, this site positions Punta Cana as a new emerging center for aviation maintenance services.

Now that the certificate has been secured, FL Technics is moving ahead with client onboarding and plans to expand its maintenance capabilities to serve more carriers across North, Central, and South America. “As we continue expanding our capabilities and investing in specialized training, we are building a strong foundation for long-term development and broader global partnerships,” adds Lapinskas.

Safran, MTU and Avio Aero Welcome EU Support for SHARP Project Focusing on Next-Gen Helicopter Engine Tech

Safran, MTU and Avio Aero Welcome EU Support for SHARP Project Focusing on Next-Gen Helicopter Engine Tech

The European Commission has decided to support Safran Helicopter Engines, MTU Aero Engines and Avio Aero in their technological research project known as SHARP (Sovereign High-performance Architecture for Rotorcraft Propulsion). This project, which aims to develop the scalable technological building blocks for a new state-of-art military helicopter engine, will be funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF) with a budget of around €25 million.

SHARP will involve a team of 25 partners from 12 European countries, including SMEs, universities and research institutes. By maturing key technologies, SHARP is paving the way for the ENGHE (European Next Generation Helicopter Engine). This next generation of advanced, cost effective, and sovereign helicopter engines aims to excel in the most demanding operational environments while simplifying maintenance.

The future ENGHE will feature breakthrough technologies that will considerably increase its efficiency while reducing its operating and maintenance costs. It will be particularly well suited to the next generation of military helicopters, which are expected to enter service in 2040, especially the ENGRT (European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies) and NGRC (Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability) projects. ENGHE’s exceptional characteristics will provide these future helicopters with enhanced capabilities, such as greater range and payload, higher speed, and increased availability.

Cédric Goubet, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, said: “By supporting SHARP, and more broadly our ENGHE engine project, Europe is showing its willingness to ensure self-reliance in sovereignty and technologies for tomorrow’s military helicopters. We thank the European Union and the EDF initiative, as well as the nations that support our project, for their confidence in our capability and commitment to stronger European defense capabilities.”

Dr. Ottmar Pfänder, chief program officer of MTU Aero Engines, commented: “In light of a continuously aging European fleet of military helicopters the need is obvious: from 2040 onwards, a large proportion of these rotorcraft will have to be replaced. We joined forces across the continent to underline the importance of this technology program. It will further reinforce European sovereignty and strengthen the European supply chain.”

Riccardo Procacci, CEO of Avio Aero, commented: “SHARP marks an important milestone in the journey toward Europe’s next-generation rotorcraft engine and reinforces the value of collaboration in developing sovereign, high-performance propulsion technologies. We are proud to partner with EURA on this initiative, contributing within a fully European framework while leveraging Avio Aero’s well-established expertise and know-how in helicopter propulsion.”

The SHARP project team is expected to be fully set up in the coming months. The project will be coordinated by the EURA (EUropean Military Rotorcraft Engine Alliance) joint venture, a 50/50 partnership between Safran Helicopter Engines and MTU Aero Engines. “We are ready to coordinate this multi-national and truly European team. We are all united by the will and the track record to provide our forces with most-modern technologies — while ensuring European sovereignty,” said Wolfgang Gärtner, CEO of EURA.

In Europe, there are approximately 1,800 transport and 600 combat helicopters with an average age of 20 years. In the 2040s, even rotorcraft that are still in production today will have been in service for over 50 years.

EPCOR and Air Canada Sign Fleet Support for GTCP131-9A

EPCOR and Air Canada Sign Fleet Support for GTCP131-9A

EPCOR, part of the Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) center of excellence for the repair of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), components, asset management services and predictive maintenance, is pleased to announce the signing of a new long-term agreement for the support of Air Canada’s GTCP131-9A Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) fleet. This agreement marks a significant milestone, extending a successful partnership between Air Canada and EPCOR with the support of a new product.

Air Canada will become one of EPCOR’s leading customers for the GTCP131-9A APU platform, a critical component installed on the Airbus A320 family. This new agreement underscores EPCOR’s continued commitment to supporting Air Canada’s fleet growth and ongoing fleet modernization program as this support accompany coincides with the arrival of Air Canada’s new fleet of A321XLR aircraft.

Heidi Haveman, managing director at EPCOR: “At EPCOR, we build our customer relationships on technical excellence, reliability, and mutual trust. We are proud that Air Canada has once again placed its confidence in our teams through this long-term agreement. As Air Canada continues to modernize and expand its fleet, we look forward to supporting its operations with reliable, high-quality APU services for many years to come.”

Rob van de Graaf, commercial director at EPCOR: “This is our second long-term agreement with Air Canada, which makes this milestone particularly meaningful for us. Since the start of our collaboration, our ambition has been to build a true strategic partnership based on transparency, shared objectives, and long-term commitment. This renewed agreement is a strong endorsement of that partnership and marks an important next step in our journey together.”

Josh Vanderveen, vice president, maintenance at Air Canada, commented: “Air Canada is pleased to continue and extend its long-standing partnership with EPCOR, building on more than a decade of collaboration. This new agreement reinforces our commitment to reliability and operational excellence across our Airbus A320 fleet, ensuring we continue to deliver world-class service to our customers.”

The new agreement highlights the strategic importance of the GTCP131-9A APU platform in supporting Air Canada’s operational excellence and sustainability goals. EPCOR’s technical expertise and dedicated customer-focused approach have been integral to Air Canada’s success as it expands its international network and modernizes its fleet.

ST Engineering Appoints Deputy CEO to Strengthen Group Leadership for Growth

ST Engineering today announced the appointment of Jeffrey Lam as group deputy chief executive officer, with effect from June 1, 2026. Lam, currently group chief operating officer (operations excellence) and president of commercial aerospace, will relinquish both roles.  In his new position, he will continue to report to Vincent Chong, group president and chief executive officer, and remain a member of the group executive committee.

ST Engineering is growing in global scale, underpinned by a robust order book and disciplined execution of its strategy. As the group continues to expand, the increasing breadth of its businesses requires stronger focus at the group level to drive alignment and synergies across the organization. 

As deputy CEO, Lam will support the group CEO in advancing key enterprise priorities, capturing group-wide synergies and strengthening organizational excellence. He will also provide management oversight for the commercial aerospace business.

“This appointment strengthens our leadership bench at the group level,” said Vincent Chong. “With his strong track record in business management and leadership, Jeffrey brings the experience and perspectives to advance our strategic priorities and strengthen our organizational capabilities across the group.”
Concurrently, the group will appoint Kevin Chow, currently the head of aerostructures and systems at Commercial Aerospace, to succeed Jeffrey as president of Commercial Aerospace.

SR Technics Appoints Anisa Diwakar as Business Development Director - Europe

SR Technics Appoints Anisa Diwakar as Business Development Director – Europe

SR Technics announced that Anisa Diwakar has been appointed business development director – Europe within its organization.

With extensive experience in the aerospace industry, SR Technics says Diwakar brings strong commercial expertise and a proven track record in global sales, customer relations and strategic partnership development, particularly across key engine repair programs.

RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Invests More Than $100M to Expand MRO Footprint in the U.S.

Pratt & Whitney is investing more than $100 million across three maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sites in Irving, Texas; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Springdale, Arkansas. As part of ongoing efforts to ramp maintenance capacity for the GTF engine, Pratt & Whitney is expanding the facilities and adding new equipment to enhance speed and efficiency throughout the MRO process.

“These investments demonstrate Pratt & Whitney’s continued commitment to lifting our airline customers’ GTF fleets,” said Rob Griffiths, senior vice president, Commercial Engines Operations, Pratt & Whitney. “Across these three U.S. facilities, we are investing to increase throughput of GTF engines and parts, adding repair capabilities and deploying new technologies to return engines to our customers as quickly as possible.”

The company’s recent investments across its U.S. MRO facilities include:

  • $78 million in Irving, Texas: Pratt & Whitney opened a new 500,000-square-foot facility for its Commercial Serviceable Assets business, which buys, sells and manages used serviceable material (USM) and engines. At a time when material constraints are one of the main drivers of delays in the MRO process, the investment will increase USM stock by more than 60%, helping to reduce engine turnaround time. It also enables the expansion of part repair development capability and MRO quick-turn capacity.
  • $20 million in West Palm Beach, Florida: Pratt & Whitney expanded its West Palm Beach Engine Center by approximately 50,000 square feet, increasing GTF MRO capacity by 40%. As part of the investment, the site also added new equipment for engine assembly and disassembly, machining, testing, cleaning and warehousing.
  • $4.7 million in Springdale, Arkansas: Pratt & Whitney expanded its Propulsion Systems Division by 7,000 square feet, providing additional space for commercial and military engine case repairs. The site also added new equipment to enable GTF additive manufacturing repairs that will reduce process time by more than 60%.

In addition to these investments, earlier this year Pratt & Whitney opened an 81,000-square-foot GTF MRO expansion at its Columbus Engine Center in Columbus, Georgia. The company invested $70 million to expand the site and add advanced equipment and machinery. The facility’s annual capacity increased by more than 25%, adding critical overhaul volume to the GTF MRO network in support of the growing fleet.

The GTF MRO network consists of 21 global engine centers and approximately 40 component repair facilities. The GTF engine is the most fuel-efficient choice for the single aisle market. To date, more than 2,700 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered to over 90 customers worldwide, with 13,000 engine orders and commitments in total across all platforms.

ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia Strengthens Aviation Talent Pipeline Through Structured Apprenticeship Program

ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia Strengthens Aviation Talent Pipeline Through Structured Apprenticeship Program

ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, has announced that the company’s new apprenticeship program, aimed at developing the next generation of aircraft maintenance professionals, has produced its first batch of qualified, full-time employees.

All six apprentices in the program have successfully completed their apprenticeship and have accepted full-time jobs at the company’s Kuala Lumpur facility.

ExecuJet MRO

The apprenticeship program, developed in collaboration with Malaysian MRO training organization, D’viation, is part of ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia’s long-term workforce development strategy to address growing industry challenges in attracting and retaining skilled aviation talent, particularly as aircraft systems become increasingly advanced and technically complex.

The program was designed with a rigorous entry process to ensure only candidates with strong technical and cognitive foundations were selected. Applicants were required to hold a diploma or degree in relevant engineering or aviation disciplines and successfully complete technical and non-technical assessments, including IQ and emotional quotient (EQ) evaluations.

The selected apprentices were drawn from established aviation and engineering institutions, including Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (MIAT), Aviation Australia, and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM).

Over the six-month period, apprentices were embedded in the company’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) environment, gaining structured hands-on exposure under the supervision of highly experienced licensed aircraft engineers.

Training covered key maintenance areas across business aviation platforms, including Bombardier, Gulfstream and Dassault Aviation aircraft.

Practical exposure included:

  • Basic aircraft maintenance practices and safety procedures
  • Aircraft engine removal and installation
  • Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) removal and installation
  • Exterior panel removal and installation
  • Cabin interior removal and reinstallation
  • Sealant application
  • Paint touch-up and finishing works

All six apprentices have been successfully transitioned into full-time roles within ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, reinforcing the effectiveness of the structured development model in producing job-ready aviation professionals.

Suniljit Singh, general manager maintenance at ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, says the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to building long-term industry capability rather than short-term recruitment solutions. “Aircraft technology is advancing rapidly, increasing the level of skill and precision required in maintenance operations. At the same time, the industry faces growing challenges in attracting technically strong young talent,” Singh says. “This program focuses on building solid foundations. Without strong fundamental skills and hands-on experience, it becomes increasingly difficult to develop engineers capable of supporting modern aircraft systems,” he adds. “Our priority is not only to train apprentices, but to develop competent professionals who can grow with the industry and contribute to its long-term sustainability.”

The program highlights the importance of collaboration between aviation industry players and training institutions in creating structured career pathways for young professionals. ExecuJet MRO Services continues to invest in workforce development initiatives aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s aviation talent pipeline and ensuring the industry remains sustainable amid increasing technical demands.