Another First for British Airways Engineering

British Airways has become the first airline in the world to gain European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 147, Part M and Part 145 approvals for both the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380.

Part M approval signifies that British Airways Engineering has the required management structure, organisation and procedures in place to safely maintain the two new aircraft types, while Part 145 means that the airline has the facilities, resources and people to carry out the work required.

British Airways Engineering has been preparing for the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft types for six years, and received the EASA approvals before the aircraft began their entry into service programmes in July.

Preparations have included modifying existing facilities at Heathrow, making sure that the airline has an inventory of spares and preparing engineers for new technology and new ways of working. The airline also created a dedicated ‘Entry into Service’ team, with support from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Keith Rose, British Airways general manager for quality and training services, said: “We are very proud to be the first airline to receive EASA approvals for both the A380 and the 787.

“It was a real challenge to receive both aircraft types in the same week, but the work we have done over the last six years has meant we were fully prepared.

”We look forward to welcoming more of these aircraft into the fleet, and to maintaining our customers’ aircraft to the highest possible standard.”