Ostrava - Home of the Biggest Czech Aircraft Maintenance Centre
02.05.2008,
Focus on aircraft maintenance and repair in the Czech Republic
Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul in the Czech Republic is based on the country’s strong engineering background using a unique approach. The lack of aircraft components in the period between 1970 and 1990 due to restrictions on foreign imports taught Czech companies and their employees to develop and produce crucial aircraft parts using their own resources, knowledge and skills. This situation gave the Czech Republic a major competitive edge, as it fostered the development of highly skilled technicians who are able to cope with current manufacturing difficulties.
A brief history
The history of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) in the Czech Republic dates back to 1937, when the Czechoslovak Aviation Company (CLS) established its repair facilities with a new hangar dedicated to servicing Douglas DC-2s. Consequently, the hangar and all adjacent aprons were used by the German Luftwaffe for thorough inspections of its bombers. After World War II, CLS merged with Czechoslovak Airlines and since that time the Czech flag carrier has represented a long, ongoing tradition of MRO at Prague-Ruzyne Airport.Czech Airlines’ Technical Division – uncompromising quality and safety standards
The Technical Division of Czech Airlines is responsible for full base and heavy maintenance, heavy structure repairs and modifications of the classic and new-generation Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft supported with backshops, laboratories, NDT, etc., and working under the EASA/JAR145 Certificate. Timely delivery, uncompromising quality and safety standards across all services are highly rated by a growing number of customers such as Air Berlin and Transavia.(http://www.csamaintenance.cz)
Job Air – Central Europe Aircraft Maintenance (JOB AIR-CEAM) – a unique project in the heart of Europe
In an effort to build on the best of the Czech aviation tradition, JOB AIR-CEAM is driving an ambitious project with the aim of establishing an Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 MRO Centre of Excellence at Ostrava Airport. In order to fulfil this goal, the company has been progressing step by step since 1996, when JOB AIR established its maintenance facilities for turboprop aircraft under the JAR145 Certificate. JOB AIR-CEAM is a joint-stock company offering integrated MRO solutions for mid-sized and large civilian aircraft and has matched, if not surpassed, the necessary downtime requirements and expected quality level based on the assumption that all safety standards are met. JOB AIR-CEAM’s centre is situated at the Ostrava Airport, enabling the acceptance of all categories of aircraft due to the site’s excellent parameters. The company has also set up a long-standing partnership with the Technical University in Ostrava in order to satisfy the company’s labour needs.(www.jobair.eu)
JOB AIR-CEAM is building the biggest service centre and maintenance facility in Central and Eastern Europe. The project is absolutely unique, thanks to its huge hangar, which is 24 m high and covers an area of 11,680 m2. The size of the hangar, its configuration and dimensions of the garage gate are designed to accommodate two jumbo B747s and two mid-sized B737s at the same time, which has hitherto been impossible in the CEE region. Full operation should start as early as in the second quarter of 2008, after trial operation has been completed.
JOB AIR-CEAM found a favourable climate for heavy aircraft maintenance at the lightly used Ostrava Airport, where the company’s new hangar is located. A truly world-class facility, Ostrava Airport’s operating parameters enable it to cover all categories of aircraft. The outstanding concrete runway (RWY 04/22 - 3,500 x 63 meters) with PCN 50/R/A/X/T load-bearing strength and low density traffic, six taxiways (TWY A, B, C, D ,E and F), three aprons (south, central, north) capable of handling at least 16 B737s in the basic configuration and 31 B737s in alternative configurations for the maximum number of aircraft, and total airport area of more than 5,000 hectares, including logistics and warehousing zones, contribute to Ostrava Airport’s being the company’s focal point and competitive edge.
The company plans to employ about 200 people at the beginning, though this number will eventually grow to up to 300. Considering the area of both theoretical and practical preparation, cooperation with the Technical University in Ostrava is shaping up promisingly. Graduates in the field of transportation technology with specialisation in aircraft maintenance, some of whom are already gaining practical experience at JOB AIR, will thus have a significant advantage when they enter the job market.
JOB AIR-CEAM is responding to the current situation in the area of air transport, which in Europe is characterized by massive expansion and enormous pressure to reduce the prices of plane tickets. This situation is forcing airlines to drastically reduce operating costs and this is accompanied by some side-effects, one of which is that airlines outsource their aircraft maintenance and repairs to other companies outside their own service centres.
JOB AIR-CEAM milestones
15 years of spectacular service and comprehensive support
1993 Company founded
1994 Approved Maintenance Organisation and Regional Airline 1994 L410, Jetstream 31
1995 Bae ATP, Saab 340
1999 Approved Maintenance Organisation – JAR145
2001 Maintenance Training Organisation – JAR147
2003 Air Operator Certificate – JAR OPS 1
2004 Approved Maintenance Organisation – EASA Part 145
2005 Approved Training Organisation – EASA Part 147
2005 Conclusion of an agreement with Saab Aircraft AB on base maintenance of Saab 340 and Saab 2000 Services
2006 Commencement of construction of the new wide-body aircraft maintenance facility
2007 Finalisation of new maintenance facility construction
2008 Start of new maintenance facility operation
Source: www.jobair.cz
Petr Nétek, CzechInvest