Construction has started on a new aircraft engine component repair facility for Airfoils Advanced Solutions, the joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and AFI KLM E&M.
The joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and AFI KLM E&M, announced a year ago, now has an official name: Airfoils Advanced Solutions. The two parent companies have begun the construction of a new aircraft engine component repair facility in northern France, which will eventually employ over 200 people.
Located at the Sars-et-Rosières business park in northern France, near Valenciennes, the new company's plant will be completed in early 2018, with operations due to kick off late 2018. By the time the Airfoils Advanced Solutions plant reaches cruising speed in 2020, it will have 200-250 employees.
Airfoils Advanced Solutions will repair high-pressure compressor blades and variable stator vanes, focusing on CFM56 engines powering the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, GE90 engines powering the Boeing 777, and the GP7200 for the A380. The 15,000m2 facility will incorporate state-of-the-art machinery and equipment while implementing hi-tech metallurgical processes.
Airfoils Advanced Solutions will also be active in repair solutions development, including cutting-edge repairs for fleets serviced by parent companies Safran Aircraft Engines and AFI KLM E&M.
Airfoils Advanced Solutions is jointly owned by Safran Aircraft Engines (51%) and Air France KLM (49%), who will invest over €20m in the new company.