Ameco’s ambitious global goals

Being the biggest airline MRO in China is not good enough for Beijing-based Ameco. It has plans to add capabilities to its portfolio.

October 1st 2017

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Think Big. That’s the strategy of Ameco Beijing as sets out to “fast develop its product competitiveness and comprehensive maintenance services in line with its strategy of being the leading MRO in global aviation”, a recent company statement announced. Read More »

The joint venture MRO said besides developing capabilities for new generation aircraft, it was doubling its efforts in the modification and retrofit sectors. It has developed a parallel production line for B757 passenger-to-freighter conversions and intends to improve its B787 and Airbus A350 starter generator capabilities.

It also is building a landing gear overhaul capability. At present, Ameco conducts landing gear MRO for the A320 family, A330s, B737NGs and B747-400s.

In addition, Ameco will establish a component workshop, that will build on its centre for thrust reverser repairs on the IAE V2500-V5, CFM International CFM56-5B, CFM56-3, CFM56-7B, and Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.

To cater for the growing VIP market, Ameco intended to open a workshop to meet completion demands for wide body aircraft. In January, it completed China’s first C-check on an A319 business jet and is now seeking approvals from other airworthiness authorities for market expansion. Ameco has the capability to carry out completions on the business jet variants of the A330, the B737 and the B747.

In the last 12 months, Ameco has added customers for its airframe services from airlines in Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, Turkey, Iraq and Hong Kong, It said work from international airlines was leading to “fast growth”, especially at its 10 line maintenance stations across China.

“Ameco is dedicating itself to meeting customers’ maintenance needs and promoting brand image through the comprehensive and one-stop maintenance services,” Ameco’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Zhu Xiao, said.

With more than 11,000 employees, Ameco Beijing (Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Corporation) is the biggest provider of technical support services for aircraft in China. Founded in 1989, it is a joint venture between Air China (75%) and Lufthansa Technik (25%). It specializes in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, their engines and components.

As well as Air China, customers include more than 30 Chinese airlines and 40 international airlines. The company is building parallel production lines for passenger-to-freighter conversions on B757s.

In its engine overhaul business, Ameco said it was following the market trend of cooperating with the engine makers and has signed with several airlines for the servicing and repair of PW4000 and RB211 engines.

The MRO will build up its B787 and A350 generator capabilities to expand its Power by the Hour (PBH) services. It has been providing B787 maintenance services since 2014.

“Up to now, four international customers have selected Ameco for maintenance service on their Dreamliner aircraft in China. Ameco started line maintenance and releasing services for Air China’s B787 fleet from May last year. We also started A350 maintenance service from November 2015 when we offered our first A350XWB releasing service for Finnair in Shanghai.”

Ameco also overhauls and repairs 20,000 aircraft components, including landing gear, tires and brakes, hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical components and avionics and electrical systems.

At Beijing Capital International Airport it operates two four-bay hangars, capable of accommodating four A380s at the one time. It also has a one bay hangar for B747 overhaulo and painting. At Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Ameco has a B757 three-bay hangar and an A321 three-bay hangar for checks and heavy maintenance services.