AAR announced that AAR Aircraft Services Trois-Rivières ULC has entered into a letter of intent with Air Canada regarding a ten-year, renewable agreement for airframe maintenance.
This long term agreement should enable AAR to develop an Airframe Maintenance Center of Excellence at its Trois-Rivières MRO in Quebec, Canada, and to expand its heavy maintenance services for Air Canada, which will stimulate new investment in aerospace and create more high-quality aircraft mechanic jobs.
The larger combined Airbus A330 fleet of Air Canada and Air Transat would allow Air Canada to move wide-body A330 maintenance work for both airlines from abroad to AAR in Trois-Rivières, in addition to maintaining and expanding AAR’s airframe maintenance work in Quebec on the A320 family, including all new A321-neo aircraft. AAR currently performs airframe maintenance work in Trois-Rivières on Air Canada’s existing A320 fleet and E190 fleet (which is being phased out).
The letter of intent is subject to completion of the Transat A.T. merger by Air Canada, requisite Board of Directors’ approvals and completion of final agreements, including terms generally applicable to large-scale airframe maintenance agreements.
AAR intends to make necessary facility infrastructure investments in Trois-Rivières to develop a Center of Excellence and accommodate the new wide-body A330 work of the combined Air Canada and Air Transat fleet. Through this agreement, it is expected that incremental aerospace jobs will be created in Trois-Rivières and AAR’s new capabilities will attract airframe maintenance work from other A330 operators.
“From our very first project in Trois-Rivières, we’ve seen a strong commitment to quality, safety and operational performance,” said Rich Steer, senior vice-president, Operations, Air Canada. “With our largest hub a short distance away, we’re excited to have a trusted partner like AAR with a similar commitment to excellence, and also proud to be supporting heavy maintenance work in Quebec, especially on wide-body aircraft. This contract for additional work in Trois-Rivières represents a long-term investment in increased airframe maintenance in Quebec.”
“We are honored to work closely with a premier carrier like Air Canada for so many years and to be chosen as their maintenance provider for both the A330 and A320 family fleet types,” said Chris Jessup, COO, AAR. “AAR is proud to support the Canadian economy and to grow our overall footprint in Trois-Rivières, especially for the A330.”