Amstelveen, Netherlands, 2014-03-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Air France-KLM continues to invest in the high-growth aeronautical maintenance market
“With this significant investment, Air France-KLM, the world’s second-ranking multi-product MRO provider, continues to develop its activity on high-growth market segments. This constitutes one of the major lines of development of the Transform 2015 plan and confirms the key role of maintenance activity in the Group’s on-going recovery”
Air France-KLM Chairman and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac
“This acquisition supplements and strengthens our presence on the world’s biggest aviation market – a strategic region due to its dynamism and potential for growth.”
Franck Terner, Executive Vice President AIR FRANCE KLM Engineering & Maintenance
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and Sabena technics have reached an agreement under which the Franco-Dutch group would take full control of Barfield, the US component support specialist and subsidiary of Sabena technics. The transaction should be finalized in the first half of 2014, subject to approval by the competent authorities.
Extended services for North and Latin American airlines
AFI KLM E&M is already present on the American market with its subsidiary Aero Maintenance Group (AMG) specialized in component support for a wide range of commercial and regional aircraft. Because of the complementary nature of AMG and Barfield, two Florida-based subsidiaries, the customers of AFI KLM E&M and Barfield in North and Latin America will benefit from a comprehensive range of high-quality, competitive services on their doorstep.
Founded in 1945, Barfield Inc. is a MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) service provider specializing in component support, offering services ranging from repairs to flight-hour solutions including spares support, the design of test equipment and the distribution of spare parts. The Company employs a workforce of 230 staff at three US facilities (Miami, Phoenix, Louisville).
With a joint workforce of over 14,000, AFI KLM E&M is a major player on the multi-product aeronautical maintenance market and generated a turnover of 3.28 billion euros in 2013. It offers comprehensive technical support for airlines, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul and aero structure support, as well as the management, repair and supply of aircraft components, structured around a powerful logistic network.
AFI KLM E&M supports almost 1,300 aircraft operated by 150 major domestic and international airlines.
About KLM
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded in 1919, making it the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name. In 2004, Air France and KLM merged to form AIR FRANCE KLM. The merger produced the strongest European airline group based on two powerful brands and hubs – Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Retaining its own identity, the group focuses on three core businesses: passenger transport, cargo and aircraft maintenance.
In the Netherlands, KLM comprises the core of the KLM Group, which further includes KLM Cityhopper, transavia.com and Martinair. KLM serves all its destinations using a modern fleet and employs over 33,000 people around the world. KLM is a leader in the airline industry, offering reliable operations and customer-oriented products resulting from its policy of enthusiasm and sustainable innovation.
KLM is a member of the global SkyTeam airline alliance, offering customers an extensive worldwide network. The KLM network connects the Netherlands to every important economic region in the world and, as such, serves as a powerful driver for the economy.
About SkyTeam
SkyTeam is a global airline alliance providing customers from member airlines access to an extensive worldwide network offering more destinations, more frequencies and more connectivity. Passengers can earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Miles throughout the SkyTeam network. SkyTeam member airlines offer customers access to over 490 lounges worldwide.
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