Airlink first in line for remodeled BAE Systems Jetspares programme

Airlink, the largest independent regional airline in Southern Africa, has become the first BAE Systems Regional Aircraft customer to sign up for the new remodelled JetSpares Rate-Per- Flying-Hour (RPFH) programme.
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The new three-year agreement, valid to the end of 2018, covers the Airlink fleet of 12 Avro RJ85 regional jetliners that are operated alongside other aircraft types to provide scheduled passenger service to more than 30 destinations in southern Africa.

JetSpares is a customised rotable spares support RPFH programme which is designed to allow an airline to concentrate on its flight operations while BAE Systems Regional Aircraft takes care of spares inventory, logistics and repairs. The priority is to keep the airline’s business running smoothly by providing a first-class support service.

Under the new agreement, some 500 part numbers are covered, including landing gear components, windscreens and avionics. BAE Systems also provides an on-site rotable stock package at Airlink’s Johannesburg base.

Regional Aircraft was one of the first aerospace companies to introduce a RPFH programme over 20 years ago and has now accumulated over 3 million flying hours on its two programmes - JetSpares for the BAe 146/Avro RJ fleet and MACRO (Material and Component Repair and Overhaul) for the turboprop fleet.

The company has recently conducted an extensive review of its RPFH programmes with the main objective being to control costs to provide the stability to underpin these programmes for the future. Detailed discussions have been carried out with all the main vendors to secure long-term fixed price RPFH and repair and overhaul pricing with capped escalation rates.

Over 15 key vendors have now signed spares support agreements with BAE Systems. These vendors include AEM Limited, Avotec Limited, Eaton Aerospace, Honeywell, Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems, Moog, Muirhead Aerospace, Oakenhurst Aircraft Services, Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing, PPA Group, PPG Aerospace, Revima APU, Thomas Electronics, Turner Aviation and Zodiac Aerospace.

Some 525 part numbers are now covered under these revised vendor arrangements, representing hydraulic and mechanical components, cabin oxygen cylinders/valves, flap electronic control unit and printed circuit boards, avionics components, motion technology products, aircraft brakes, transparencies, electronic displays and wiring products, precision control components and systems and on-board systems.

Sean McGovern, Managing Director of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft said: “We will continue our drive for an increase to the scope of parts on our JetSpares and MACRO programmes under similar fixed price agreements to further stabilise costs.

“The majority of these vendors are original equipment vendors who see continued merit in continuing to support the aircraft for the long term. We have also selected OEMs and Repair Stations based on the quality of repairs”.

He added: “On the back of these agreements we will continue to develop cost-effective support solutions for our customers, particularly in the case of the BAe 146/Avro RJ, as it starts its second life, finding new and innovative roles, and the customer base changes both operationally and geographically.”

Underpinned by these new vendor pricing agreements the new RPFH dynamic model fully integrates actual repair costs for the majority of parts, plus up to date operator utilisation, and daily snap shots of stock on hand compared to removal rates to provide an even more accurate modelling profile.