AAR and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to establish a commercial aircraft MRO facility in South Korea.
AAR’s 1MRO Network, the third largest in the world, will provide its industry-leading best practices in MRO as a consultant to KAI. The two providers are also considering operating the new facility under a joint venture.
Under the agreement, AAR and KAI will also focus on growing KAI’s MRO services to third-party customers/airlines. And AAR will lend its expertise on FAA and EASA certification and licensing requirements.
KAI, the only domestic aircraft OEM and total systems integrator in Korea, builds Apache helicopters for Boeing and jointly developed a next-generation fighter trainer with Lockheed Martin. AAR has a global reputation in the aviation sector for improving operational efficiencies and turn times, as well as lowering airlines’ operating costs through its customized solutions.
“KAI has a vision for expansion, and AAR, with its expertise and global reputation as the world’s leading independent provider of airframe maintenance, is the right partner to help us transition successfully to the commercial side of the business,” said Sung Yong-Ha, CEO of KAI.
“This agreement with KAI is part of AAR’s efforts to further expand our reach in emerging markets such as Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific,” said AAR Aviation Services COO John Holmes. “We are excited to partner with Korea’s premier military aerospace maintenance provider to help the organization streamline its operations, reduce costs and expand service across South Korea.”