MRO and asset management service provider, Vallair, has received its first A330neo for maintenance, following its attainment of the type rating approval earlier this year.
Operated by a South American airline, the aircraft is to undergo full base maintenance at the company’s facility in Châteauroux, France.
François Fermaut, director of operations - Châteauroux, said: “Our expansion into the A330neo platform has come at an exciting time. The aircraft type is experiencing a period of increasing adoption by airlines and demand has risen for qualified maintenance providers such as Vallair.
"With just under 300 orders still to be delivered by Airbus, Vallair predicts that demand for MRO on the A330neo will only continue to surge in the coming years.”
Grégoire Lebigot, chief executive of the Vallair Group, said: “The addition of this capability is a testament to our dedication to our customers.
"We understand that operators are increasingly turning to the A330neo for value, versatility and efficiency.
"Perceptive to this evolution, we have made ourselves ready to meet the maintenance demand for customers across the platform."
Lebigot added: "Our approval, and now this first aircraft, signifies the latest in a comprehensive growth campaign to expand our capabilities in parallel with market needs."
Vallair said the continuously evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East has also prompted operators to look back at Europe for MRO and asset management opportunities.
Lebigot said: "As such, it is becoming increasingly important for European providers to have capacity to deliver.
"Vallair is well placed not only to meet requirements but also to provide a competitive offering in the region, underpinned by extensive investment to capabilities as well as the workforce, as evidenced by the operations of the company’s in-house technician training centre, Aircraft Academy.”
