Major planemaker creates support facilities in SA and Ethiopia

26th July 2013

By: Keith Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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Canadian major aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace (part of the Bombardier Incorporated) recently announced in Johannesburg that the company has opened a regional support office (RSO) for Africa at Lanseria International Airport, north-west of the city. It also announced its intention to set up a spare parts depot, also at Lanseria, that will be fully operational before the end of this year. Bombardier is the world’s number three commercial and business aircraft manufacturer.
“We do strongly believe that if you want to be present in a market, you need a solid presence in services,” affirmed Bombardier president: customer support and services Eric Martel. “These are two major milestones. This is a clear signal that we are committed to this region.” The RSO and spares depot will cover both the company’s commercial and business aircraft ranges.
“Our [new] RSO for commercial aircraft houses a manager, field services representatives, who work with customers on the technical aspects of the aircraft, and account managers,” explained Bombardier VP: customer services and support (commercial aircraft) Todd Young. “The entire team – their whole focus is to keep the aircraft flying.” This, in turn, will ensure that the operators get the maximum value out of their aircraft.
Currently, 156 Bombardier commercial, and 85 business, aircraft are flying in Africa. The company’s current commercial range comprises the CRJ NextGen family of 60- to 99-seat regional jets, the Q400 70- to 80-seat twin turboprop and the very new C-Series family of 100- to 149-seat single- aisle jet airliners. The prototype C-Series aircraft will make its first fight soon. Bombardier’s business aircraft range is composed of the Learjet, Challenger and Global (previously Global Express) jet families. The company also produces amphibious aircraft (the Bombardier 415 and 415MP) and special mission (such as reconnaissance and surveillance) versions of its aircraft. Many examples of earlier Bombardier designs, such as the Dash 8, Q200 and Q300 turboprops and previous- generation CRJs, are still in widespread operation.
The company is upbeat about Africa. “We see growth happening all across the continent,” stated Bombardier VP: Middle East and Africa Sales (commercial aircraft) Raphaël Haddad. “It’s the second-fastest- growing continent in terms of gross domestic product, after Asia.” The company expects to sell some 700 of its commercial aircraft into Africa over the next 20 years. It foresees demand for its business aircraft in Africa and the Middle East combined to be 810 aeroplanes over the same period.
The new RSO at Lanseria must not be confused with an authorised service facility (ASF). Late last year, the Canadian company appointed South African regional airline SA Express as its first ASF in Africa. As a result, SA Express is now an approved service provider for Bombardier’s Dash 8, Q400 and other Dash 8/Q-series aircraft and CRJ100, CRJ200 and CRJ700 regional airliners.
Separately, and subsequently, the Canadian company announced a letter of intent for its second ASF in Africa. This is at the Ethiopian Airlines facility, at Addis Ababa, and will come into effect in the near term, as soon as a firm agreement is reached. The airline will be authorised to carry out line and heavy maintenance on the Q400 and Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners.
“Ethiopian Airlines operates modern and complete aircraft, engine and component overhaul and repair facilities at Bole International Airport, in Addis Ababa,” stated Bombardier in its press release. “The facility employs an all-Ethiopian workforce of over 750 licensed technicians and support staff . . . The new Ethiopian Airlines ASF will work in close collaboration with Bombardier’s maintenance network of wholly owned service centres and ASFs in the same time zone, as well as its network of parts hubs and depots, including the newly announced Johannes- burg parts depot, which will be operational 24/7.”
SA Express and Ethiopian Airlines are the two biggest Bombardier aircraft ope- rators in Africa. The South African company has nine Q400s, ten CRJ200s and five CRJ700s, while the Ethiopian operator and its affiliates have 13 Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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