Bombardier and Fokker Services Team Up to Develop Enhanced Support Services for Dash 8/Q100/200/300 Aircraft
Bombardier Aerospace announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fokker Services to jointly develop logistics support solutions for the Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft models through Fokker’s comprehensive ABACUS program.
Fokker Services is part of Fokker Aerospace Group, which develops and produces advanced components and systems for the aerospace industry and supplies integrated maintenance services and products to aircraft owners and operators. The ABACUS program offers guaranteed availability of serviceable components, and flight hour-based component repair and overhaul services. It allows Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft operators to better manage their life-cycle costs, improve parts availability and enhance aircraft dispatch availability
“Fokker Services is a leader in Q100/200/300 aircraft support and we are highly confident in their ability to support us in providing comprehensive solutions to operators of Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft and to work alongside us to increase the longevity of these turboprops,” said James Hoblyn, President, Customer Services & Specialized and Amphibious Aircraft, Bombardier Aerospace. “We believe the ABACUS program will mark the beginning of a mutally beneficial relationship with Fokker Services to extend the services available to our Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft customers.”
“The ABACUS cost-by-the-hour program has been assisting legacy Fokker operators of post-production models to manage their inventory, repair and overhaul costs for 17 years, and we are delighted to team up with one of the world’s pre-eminent aircraft manufacturers to offer operators of Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft the same level of cost predictability and parts availability,” said Roland Van Dijk , President, Fokker Services. “Operators of Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft can enroll in the ABACUS program as of today. We already have six Dash 8/Q100/200/300 operators enrolled in the program, and we look forward to working with Bombardier on this exciting opportunity.”
Under the proposed alliance, which is expected to be concluded later this year, Fokker Services will repair serviceable components and ensure parts availability through their large component exchange pool on a cost-by-the-hour basis. The agreement with Fokker Services is one of a number of steps Bombardier is taking to enhance the operational value of Q100/200/300 aircraft since production of these robust and reliable aircraft was discontinued in August 2009. In late 2009, Bombardier launched an Extended Service Program with the objective of extending the economic life of the Q100 to 120,000 flight cycles from the original 80,000 flight cycles and with a view possibly applying the program to the newer Q200 and Q300 aircraft as they approach the 80,000-cycle mark.
Today, there are approximately 600 Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft in operation, and the planned alliance with Fokker Services illustrates Bombardier’s commitment to providing comprehensive parts support for these aircraft for many years to come.
Source: BOMBARDIER
