GA Telesis Engine Services' U.S. SPAH Facility Receives EASA Certificate for Engine Maintenance

Rhea-AI Summary

GA Telesis, and Air Transport Services Group, Inc. announce the EASA certification of their joint venture, SPAH, at the Wilmington Air Park. The facility aims to provide rapid jet engine maintenance services to the airline industry, offering dual-release return to service documentation for customers, expanding global reach and enhancing performance reliability.

Aviation Industry Analyst

The recent certification awarded to the SPAH joint venture by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is a strategic development within the aviation industry. The ability to service up to two hundred engines annually, with a focus on General Electric and CFM International engines, represents a significant expansion in maintenance capacity. This expansion is particularly pertinent given the current industry emphasis on reducing aircraft downtime and improving engine reliability.

From an operational standpoint, the dual-release return to service documentation is a key differentiator. It allows for parts and engines serviced at the facility to be recognized not only by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) but also by EASA and other jurisdictions with bilateral agreements. This broadens the potential customer base, as airlines operating within these regions can now source maintenance services from SPAH with confidence in regulatory compliance.

The impact on GA Telesis and Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) is multifaceted. For GA Telesis, this enhances their Ecosystem™, a holistic approach to aviation services that can now boast a stronger maintenance and repair component. For ATSG, it complements their Lease+Plus offering, which aims to provide comprehensive solutions to air cargo operators. The added value of EASA certification could potentially increase lease demand for ATSG's aircraft, as lessees can benefit from integrated maintenance services.

Financial Analyst

The announcement by GA Telesis and ATSG regarding the EASA certification could have positive implications for both companies' financial performance. Investors should note that maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services are a steady revenue stream in the aviation sector, which can balance out the cyclical nature of aircraft leasing and sales. The joint venture’s focus on servicing engines—a critical and high-cost component of aircraft operations—positions it to capture a lucrative segment of the MRO market.

For ATSG, which is publicly traded under the NASDAQ:ATSG ticker, the certification could enhance investor sentiment by diversifying its service offerings and potentially increasing its competitive advantage in the air cargo and leasing market. The ability to offer certified maintenance services could be a strong selling point in lease negotiations, potentially leading to improved lease rates and terms.

While the immediate financial impact may be limited as the facility ramps up operations, the long-term prospects seem favorable. Investors will likely monitor the uptake of the new services and the joint venture's contribution to both companies' bottom lines. The announcement may also lead to a reevaluation of the companies' stock by market analysts, who will factor in the anticipated increase in revenue and market share expansion.

Aerospace Engineer

The technical implications of the SPAH joint venture's EASA certification are noteworthy. Engines produced by General Electric and CFM International are among the most widely used in commercial aviation and the ability to service these engines to EASA's standards is a testament to the facility's technical capabilities. The certification process is rigorous, requiring adherence to high safety and performance standards, which indicates that the joint venture has invested significantly in quality control and technical expertise.

The mention of 'up to two hundred engines annually' suggests a substantial operational scale, which could be indicative of advanced technology and processes implemented within the facility. This level of throughput requires efficient workflow management, sophisticated diagnostics and repair capabilities. It will be interesting to see how the SPAH joint venture leverages technology to achieve this scale while maintaining the quality of service required by EASA.

The provision of dual-release documentation is a complex regulatory achievement that demonstrates the joint venture's understanding of international aviation regulations. It requires a robust system for tracking and documenting maintenance activities to the satisfaction of multiple regulatory bodies, which is critical for airlines operating in a global environment.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. , March 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GA Telesis, LLC, a global aviation services integrator, and Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATSG), a leading provider of aircraft leasing and air cargo transportation and related services, announced that the Specialized Procedures Aeroengine Hospital (SPAH) joint venture at the Wilmington Air Park in southwestern Ohio has received an Air Agency Certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency ("EASA").

With this significant achievement, the joint venture aims to offer rapid jet engine maintenance services to the airline industry, significantly contributing to enhancing performance reliability. Once fully integrated and operational, the new facility can service up to two hundred engines annually, prioritizing those produced by General Electric and CFM International during the initial phase of operations. The joint venture will now provide dual-release return to service documentation for its customers, allowing the use of parts and engines not only in the United States but in the European Union as well as countries with bilateral agreements with the FAA and EASA.

"This certification is a major milestone as we expand our capabilities in Wilmington. We are now able to offer our customers dual release for both EASA and FAA; thus, extending the global reach of our services," said Russ Shelton, President of GA Telesis Engine Strategy Group. "The ability to better serve our global customers enhances the future of not only GA Telesis Engine Services, but the GA Telesis Ecosystem™," Shelton added.

"As we continue to expand the global footprint of ATSG, the opportunity to provide our global customers access to additional services increases the value of our Lease+Plus offering," stated Paul Chase, Chief Commercial Officer of ATSG, "this joint venture adds to that value with the addition of EASA certification."

About GA Telesis
GA Telesis is the leading provider of integrated services in the commercial aviation industry. Through the GA Telesis Ecosystem™, the Company is distinctly positioned, across six continents, to leverage its resources to create innovative solutions for its customers. Consisting of global operations encompassing Component Solutions, Leasing/Financing, Logistics Solutions, and MRO Services business units for landing gear, component/composite, and turbine engine repair, as well as digital solutions, the GA Telesis Ecosystem™ provides an unparalleled resource to airlines. The Company's core business is its mission to ensure "Customer Success," built from a reputation for unsurpassed excellence and integrity.

About GA Telesis Engine Services

GA Telesis Engine Services (GATES) is a fully integrated subsidiary of GA Telesis, offering customers a seamless engine solution that combines high-quality repair and overhaul services as well as world-class supply chain services. The GATES facility is based in Helsinki, Finland, and operates under FAA, EASA, CAAC, TCCA, DGAC, GACA, ANAC, and ECAA approvals for CFM56-5B, CFM56-7B, and General Electric CF6-80C2 turbine engines. GATES has an integrated test cell capable of up to 100,000 pounds of thrust and can overhaul up to 200 engines per year. GATES Go-Team is also one of the few companies authorized by EASA to perform remote repairs on engines that are installed on aircraft.

About Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG)

Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), a premier provider of aircraft leasing and air cargo transportation solutions for both domestic and international air carriers, as well as companies seeking outsourced air cargo services. ATSG is the global leader in freighter leasing with a fleet that includes Boeing 767, Airbus A321, and Airbus A330 converted freighters. 

A diverse portfolio of subsidiaries encompasses the Lease+Plus aircraft leasing opportunity including three airlines holding separate and distinct U.S. FAA Part 121 Air Carrier certificates to provide air cargo lift, passenger ACMI and charter services: aircraft maintenance, airport ground services and material handling equipment engineering and service.

Our subsidiaries comprise ABX Air, Inc.; Airborne Global Solutions, Inc.; Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services, Inc.; Air Transport International, Inc.; Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc.; and Omni Air International, LLC.

For further details, please visit our website at www.atsginc.com.

Contacts:
Rylan France, Marketing Manager, GA Telesis	KymParks, Director of Marketing, ATSG
Rfrance@gatelesis.com	kym.parks@atsginc.com

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SOURCE GA Telesis, LLC

What is the significance of the EASA certification for the joint venture SPAH at the Wilmington Air Park?

The EASA certification allows the facility to provide rapid jet engine maintenance services to the airline industry, offering dual-release return to service documentation for customers.

How many engines can the new facility service annually during the initial phase of operations?

The new facility at SPAH can service up to two hundred engines annually during the initial phase of operations.

Which engines will be prioritized for servicing at the joint venture SPAH?

Engines produced by General Electric and CFM International will be prioritized for servicing at the joint venture SPAH.

What additional value does the EASA certification add to the global customers of ATSG's Lease+Plus offering?

The EASA certification adds value by providing global customers access to additional services, enhancing the Lease+Plus offering.