On 19 February 2014, AIR FRANCE KLM and GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes signed an exclusive, long-term strategic partnership agreement to strengthen the commercial cooperation between the two groups. The agreement also covered the development of cooperation between the two groups in the field of MRO.
Under the terms of the partnership, the first non-exclusive MRO agreement was signed in September 2014 with GOL, from which one of its Boeing 737NGs was sent to KLM UK Engineering for a lease return check prior to its withdrawal from the fleet.
First work in Norwich UK
The overhaul of GOL’s aircraft, as specified in each work scope of the Agreement, prior to its return to the leasing company is being handled as efficiently as possible by KLM UK Engineering. This is possible due to KLM UK Engineering being able to rely on the strength of its engineering network and its various maintenance centres offering specialized, competitive services in terms of both costs and performance. As a result, KLM UK Engineering, a Group subsidiary that offers expert MRO services for regional and narrow-body aircraft, based in Norwich UK, has delivered the first end of lease maintenance check on the GOL 737NG.
Francis Richard, executive in charge of the AIR FRANCE KLM/GOL partnership implementation in Brazil, said: “This cooperation is a further sign that our two groups are working ever more closely together. It confirms the commercial partnership agreement that was signed last year and extends it to the maintenance sphere, where KLM UK Engineering has demonstrated the excellence of its aircraft maintenance services to its partner”.
GOL’s Supply Chain Director Marcelo Abib added: “Our airline is thrilled to be working with a major global multi-product maintenance player. We are confident in KLM UK Engineering’s ability to provide top-flight MRO services. We look forward to developing this cooperation with new work scopes in the near future.”
Arjan Meijer, Managing Director at KLM UK Engineering comments: “We have been delighted to work with GOL on the first end of lease 737NG aircraft, which was both a complex and challenging project,and look forward to working on future projects with them during 2015 and the years ahead under our strategic partnership”.
About GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., the largest low-cost and best-fare airline in Latin America offering, has around 910 daily flights to 69 destinations, 15 of which international in South America, the Caribbean and the United States, using a young, modern fleet of Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, the safest, most efficient and most economical of their type. The SMILES loyalty program allows members to accumulate miles and redeem tickets to more than 700 locations around the world via flights with foreign partner airlines. The Company also operates Gollog, a logistics service which retrieves and delivers cargo and packages to and from more than 3,500 cities in Brazil and 8 abroad. With its portfolio of innovative products and services, GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes offers the best cost-benefit ratio in the market.
About KLM UK Engineering
KLM UK Engineering Limited is a leading regional aircraft and narrow body MRO, wholly owned by AFI KLM E&M Network. Services include base maintenance, line maintenance, component sales, technical training and decommissioning of Airbus A320 Family, Boeing 737’s, Fokker 70/100 and BAe146/Avro RJ’s. KLMUKEngineering has been based at NorwichInternationalAirport for 40 years and employs approximately 400 people, priding itself on having an experienced and skilled work force, delivering a superior service and high quality product at a competitive price. For more information please visit www.klmukengineering.com
About AFI KLM E&M
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance is amajor multi-product MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) provider. With a workforce of over 14,000, AFI KLM E&M offers comprehensive technical support for airlines, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul, aerostructure and FTR support, as well as the management, repair and supply of aircraft components, structured around a powerful logistics network. AFI KLM E&M supports almost 1,500 aircraft operated by 150 major international and domestic airlines.
