Independent MRO provider United Aerospace Maintenance Company has gained European regulatory approvals to conduct quick turn maintenance services on CFM International Leap 1A and 1B engines from its facility in Cyprus.
Based in Larnaca, United Aerospace Maintenance Company (UAMCO) gained European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) A1 approvals in February and EASA B1 certification last week. EASA approval allows the company to conduct quick turn MRO work on the new-generation engine types with the exception of piece part repairs.
“It was timed in order to allow the facility to be completed, the tools to be in place and training to be completed," John Savvides, CEO of UAMCO tells Aviation Week. “We had to time everything in place so we don’t delay our certification.”
UAMCO confirmed it is currently in talks with engine manufacturers GE Aerospace and CFM International about an off-load agreement, which it anticipates to be finalized “as soon as possible.” The company has signed an agreement with GE Aerospace's On Wing Support to become a service provider for a recent service bulletin entailing upgrades to Leap engine reverse bleed systems to address ongoing fuel nozzle issues. For this purpose, UAMCO says it has two teams in place and it is ready to eventually expand to four teams.
“As soon as we sign our agreement for the shop, we are ready to expand our staff and tooling,” says Savvides. He expects strong Leap demand due to engines needing removal earlier than the anticipated off-wing maintenance. “For now we can accommodate two engines because of our existing tooling and staff, but our shop can handle up to 12 engines at the same time.”
Savvides, an industry veteran of 35 years, set up UAMCO last year as an exclusive Leap engineering facility after identifying the need for an engine shop in Cyprus, given the country’s geographic location between Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He anticipates some challenges in the supply chain due to what he identifies as a shortage of modules to serve the quick turn maintenance requirements. However, he says UAMCO is looking to add further capability, including grinding services, to help reduce turnaround time lags.
Over time, Savvides also sees the possibility of expanding to Leap piece part repairs or the addition of a possible test cell at UAMCO's Larnaca site.
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