Gulf Air Extends A330 APU Support Agreement

Paris, Amstelveen, 8 November 2015 - Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain's national carrier, has extended its agreement for maintenance of the auxiliary power units (APUs) equipping its six Airbus A330s with AFI KLM E&M. Fabrice Defrance, AFI KLM E&M SVP Commercial said: "AFI KLM E&M and Gulf Air have always enjoyed a strong, positive relationship. The Gulf carrier recently signed a component support agreement with us covering its A320s and A330s, combined with assistance in developing Gulf Air's in-house repair capabilities. It is in the framework of this very broad-based relationship that we have now extended the existing APU support contract."

EPCOR expertise for APUs
The services covered by the contract will be provided by EPCOR, the AFI KLM E&M subsidiary specializing in APU support, which is been approved by OEM Honeywell to repair the GTCP331-350 APUs equipping Airbus A330s and A340s. Gulf Air acting CEO Maher Salman Al Musallam, said: "EPCOR has a global reputation for its good TATs, service quality and excellent customer care. It is an efficient subsidiary and a highly-valued partner for Gulf Air." 

About Gulf Air
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. Today, Gulf Air is a major international carrier serving 43 cities in 24 countries spanning three continents. The airline operates one of the largest networks in the Middle East, with double daily flights to over 10 regional cities, from its hub at Bahrain International Airport. Gulf Air serves all its destinations with a combination wide and narrow body fleet totalling 28 modern aircraft. Renowned for its traditional Arabian hospitality, evidenced by the airline's signature family and business friendly products, Gulf Air is committed to being an industry leader and developing products and services that reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of its passengers. 
Gulf Air connects Bahrain to the world and, as such, is a key national infrastructure asset, serving as a powerful driver for the economy and supporting the Kingdom's on-going economic growth. Gulf Air was the Title Sponsor of the 2015 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX and will be the Official Airline of the Bahrain International Airshow 2016.  www.gulfair.com

About EPCOR
EPCOR is a fully-owned subsidiary of KLM Engineering & Maintenance, part of the AIR FRANCE KLM group, holding EASA, CAAC, CAAV and FAR 145 certification. Within the group EPCOR provides MRO support for the APUs and pneumatic systems of a wide range of commercial aircraft. EPCOR maintains APUs on B737Next Generation, 777, A320 (GTCP131-9A & APS3200), A330, A340 and the APS2300 for Embraer 170/190 aircraft. The latest addition for EPCOR is the APS5000 capability for the Boeing 787 aircraft.  EPCOR is also an OEM warranty approved Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney AeroPower (former HSPS) Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) repair centre. Besides the APU capability EPCOR also maintains and overhauls air cycle machines, environmental control systems, starters, leading-edge flap drive units and many other pneumatic and nitrogen components installed on large commercial aircraft.  www.afiklmem.com  or   mobile.afiklmem.com   www.epcor.nl

About AFI KLM E&M
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance is a major multi-product MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) provider. With a 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 1,500 aircraft operated by 150 major international and domestic airlines.

www.afiklmem.com  or  mobile.afiklmem.com