Daher Aircraft has opened a new spare parts, maintenance, equipment overhaul and logistics centre in western France, expanding its aftermarket support capabilities for helicopters, training aircraft and legacy general aviation fleets.

The purpose-built 6,000 sqm facility at Jonzac-Neulles Airport replaces the company’s previous Merpins operation, around 25km away, providing additional capacity to support existing contracts while enabling future business growth.

Direct access to the airport’s 1,370m runway also creates new opportunities for on-aircraft maintenance and technical support.

Nicolas Chabbert, chief executive of Daher Aircraft, said: “This inauguration marks another important step in Daher Aircraft’s commitment to further strengthening our global support network and the comprehensive services it provides. Today’s milestone also is an opportunity to recognise the commitment of Claude Belot and the Communauté des Communes de Haute Saintonge, whose support has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.”

The centre provides logistics, repair and overhaul services for a wide range of aircraft under direct contracts and as a service provider, including Airbus helicopters operated by the French Gendarmerie, as well as Cirrus and Grob training aircraft.

It also continues support for around 3,000 TB and Rallye aircraft built by Daher Aircraft’s predecessor, SOCATA, providing spare parts, repairs and replacement part manufacturing under the company’s Part 21J Design Organisation Approval.

The new facility includes workshops for composite airframe repairs, painting, welding, landing gear hydraulics, battery overhaul and Level 2 non-destructive testing. It currently employs 32 staff transferred from the Merpins site, with headcount expected to grow to around 40 later this year.

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