Paris, Amstelveen, 7 January 2014 - KLM UK Engineering, the Norwich based regional and narrow body aircraft MRO provider, a KLM subsidiary operating within the AFI KLM E&M network, has unveiled its brand new facility for the dismantling and recycling of aircraft. The recycling solutions centre was declared open on 11th December at a ceremony that included aviation executives and local dignitaries. KLM UK Engineering Managing Director, Paul Chun, climbed aboard a mechanical digger to recover the first parts of the wing of a BAe 146 Avro RJ.
Cradle-to-cradle service
The new facility is unique to East Anglia and is believed to be one of a handful of aircraft recycling centres in Europe. The development offers a cradle-to-cradle service for a whole range of aircraft including Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s, Fokker50/70/100s and BAe 146/Avro RJs. KLM UK Engineering is now licensed to service aircraft from the day they commence operations until they are removed from service, a potential time frame of 20 years or 18 million air miles.
Saving costs and environment
The dismantling and recycling facility ensures that licensed and serviceable aircraft components can be recovered and reconditioned by the team of aircraft engineers at KLM UK Engineering and stored for reuse or for sale. Fuel, lubricants and other potential pollutants can be safely drained and carefully disposed of aircraft bodywork can be cut up and recycled.
Ten engineering jobs will be created by the implementation of the recycling solutions centre. In the first year KLM UK Engineering anticipates that 12 aircraft will be handled at the centre with the figure doubling up to 24 by the second year.
Paul Chun, Managing Director of KLM UK Engineering told visitors to the opening ceremony “To operate from cradle to cradle in this way gives us a range of options to offer our customers. The new facility builds on our core business of maintaining aircraft and what we are really proud of is that we have developed it from the skills we already have within our staff.”
KLM UK Sales Director Dave Spalding added “We have customers queuing up and we already have 4 aircraft on site for disposal. Globally the aviation industry has 12,000 aircraft which will need to be scrapped in the next 20 years so we see huge potential for our new dismantling & recycling facility.”
About KLM UK Engineering
KLM UK Engineering Limited is a leading regional aircraft and narrow body MRO, wholly owned by KLM and member of the AFI KLM E&M Network. Services include base maintenance, line maintenance, and component sales, technical training and decommissioning of Airbus A320 Family, Boeing 737’s, Fokker 50/70/100 and BAe146/Avro RJ’s. KLMUKE has been based at Norwich International Airport for 40 years and employs approximately 395 people, plus has numerous Line Maintenance Stations including Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester. KLMUKE prides itself on having an experienced and skilled work force, delivering a superior service and high quality product at a competitive price.
About AFI KLM E&M
Air France Industries and KLM Engineering & Maintenance, which joined forces following the AIR FRANCE KLM merger, are major multi-product MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) providers. With a joint workforce of over 14,000, AFI KLM E&M offers comprehensive technical support for airlines, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul, aero structure and FTR support, as well as the management, repair and supply of aircraft components, structured around a powerful logistics network. AFI KLM E&M supports almost 1,300 aircraft operated by 150 major international and domestic airlines.
www.afiklmem.com or mobile.afiklmem.com www.klmukengineering.com
