Algerian flag carrier Air Algerie has become the launch customer for a new digital maintenance documentation service being launched by aircraft manufacturer ATR and software specialist Swiss-AS.
Under the three-year contract, ATR will provide Air Algerie with raw data from line maintenance publications in an XML format that can be uploaded into Swiss-AS AMOS maintenance software. ATR says the service will enable the airline to shorten revision processes, speed up and digitalize distribution of publications, improve information consistency across aircraft manuals, automate revision tracking and document control, and save time while preparing for regulatory audits.
Through the new system, ATR will provide a ZIP file on its maintenance portal of data such as maintenance procedures, electrical standard practices, illustrated parts data, schematic and wiring diagrams, and parts and vendors lists. The airline will be able to download the file directly via the AMOS software and begin using it. “Previously, the airline had access to a PDF, while now they have access to ‘bricks of information’ that are then generated into a proper document by the software itself,” says a representative for ATR. “It brings consistency, avoids double entries, ensures compliance and the software can link the documents between themselves—it's completely automatic.”
According to Laid Bouchama, technical director at Air Algerie, the service is expected to streamline the airline’s daily maintenance procedures, reduce downtime and increase fleet availability. “This three-party cooperation ensures that we all benefit from the greatest expertise in terms of on-the-ground operations, engineering insights and digitalization,” says Bouchama.
Air Algerie operates 15 ATR 72 aircraft. It went live with AMOS software in December 2023 for its entire fleet of 58 aircraft, which gives it real-time access to maintenance and engineering data. It plans to deploy several other AMOS modules, including AMOSmobile/EXEC, which allows technicians to conduct paperless maintenance on-the-go.
ATR and Swiss-AS first announced their partnership in April 2023, which the companies say is the first of its kind between an aircraft manufacturer and an MRO software company. The partnership’s goal is to customize maintenance data into AMOS software to help airlines digitalize their maintenance management.
Swiss-AS says that prior to its partnership with ATR, operators were responsible for integrating technical publications provided by the OEM into AMOS software. It notes that this previously required the use of standalone systems and middleware to manage data integrity and revisions.
While ATR is not commenting on other airline customers that may be considering the new service, it notes that 30 ATR operators are using AMOS. A representative adds that ATR is “working collaboratively with Swiss-AS to provide more services to airlines in the future, for instance regarding predictive maintenance or data analytics.”
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