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Aerospace composite firm and MRO provider Quickstep has announced it has been awarded a $30 million long-term maintenance contract by Jetstar for its V2500 Engine Nacelle.
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It marks the first time that a contract of this nature has been awarded to a local Australian independent maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider, after a global tendering process, according to Quickstep.
From this month, together with Thailand-based Triumph Aviation Services Asia, Quickstep will provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance to Jetstar’s V2500 Engine Nacelle, used on the carrier’s fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft.
The contract covers maintenance services on the airliner’s engine inlet cowl, fan cowls, thrust reversers and exhaust nozzle.
According to Jetstar, the carrier has 53 Airbus A320 jets with IAE V2500 engines, along with eight A321s.
Work will be completed at the firm’s Quickstep Aerospace Services (QAS) MRO facility in Tullamarine, Victoria, which itself will see a $1.3 million upgrade in order to better support the contract.
Quickstep said this capital expenditure will be funded through existing cash reserves and facilities.
Tim Gent, executive general manager of QAS, noted the significance of an Australian independent provider offering MRO services to a “world-leading” low-cost airline such as Jetstar.
“We are delighted to support the airline’s growing fleet and augment their operations from an Australian maintenance base and in partnership with Triumph across Asia-Pacific,” he said.
Mark Burgess, Quickstep chief executive officer, added: “In our opinion, the Australian aviation sector should see a strong rebound from the pandemic during 2022.
“Our Tullamarine facility is well placed to offer highly competitive aftermarket solutions both domestically and across the Asia-Pacific region.
“The maintenance contract with Jetstar is an early demonstration of the capacity, capability and long-term opportunity this new line of business offers to the Quickstep Group.”
Quickstep and Triumph Aviation Services Asia have been working in collaboration since May 2021, after signing a memorandum of understanding to join forces on a broad range of services, including spares pooling and repair development for the aerostructures market.
According to the parties, the agreement simplifies the airlines’ supply chain and improves cost-effectiveness. Quickstep would undertake the affected work at its new Tullamarine facility in Victoria.
Gent said at the time, “Our customers are expected to benefit from the expertise of design and repair that both parties bring to this arrangement.
“This a great opportunity to deliver key capabilities as post-pandemic recovery in the airline sector gathers pace across Australasia.”
Meanwhile, Monty Richardson, president of Triumph Aviation Services Asia, added, “TASA is excited to be working with Quickstep in Australia.
“This proposed alliance is another example of how we are getting closer to our customers across the Asia-Pacific region in order to deliver high quality and cost-effective maintenance solutions.”
[Related: Quickstep, Swoop Aero sign strategic supply agreement ]
