Airbus eyes ‘lifecycle’ service center in Chengdu

Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding with the city of Chengdu and Tarmac Aerosave for the development of the first aircraft “lifecycle” service centre in China.

Market watchers said the project will help strengthen weak links within China's aviation maintenance industry, and establish a more mature aviation maintenance sector, bringing the country closer into line with mature aviation markets.

This agreement will cover a range of activities from aircraft parking and storage, to maintenance, upgrades, conversions, dismantling and recycling services for various aircraft types, according to the release sent to the Global Times on Tuesday. 

With an investment of no less than 6 billion yuan ($950 million), the project is expected to store a total of 685 aircraft, 98 dismantled aircraft, and 21 passenger-to-cargo aircraft by 2030.

The development represents a further concrete contribution to the aviation industry's quest for sustainability, supporting the principle of a circular economy. This unique facility will support the expansion of Airbus' aviation services while enabling the implementation of China's "Green Industry strategy," according to Klaus Roewe, SVP for Airbus Customer Services.

-B