The AMES joint venture with Safran Nacelles expands its Dubai facility for MRO work on GE90 fan stator modules

 

February 24, 2020

Aerostructures Middle East Services (AMES) today inaugurated the expansion of its Dubai facility in the United Arab Emirates, which is dedicated to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work for aircraft nacelles, aerostructures and large engine components.

The building extension provides additional capacity for AMES’ newest activity: preventive maintenance inspections (PMIs) and associated repairs on fan stator modules for General Electric GE90 engines that equip Boeing 777 jetliners.

Doubling AMES’ workshop space and its workforce

AMES is the joint venture of Safran Nacelles and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M), which was established 10 years ago in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone. With the extension inaugurated today, the AMES operation is doubling its workshop surface and workforce, enabling the company to accommodate inspections and repairs performed on the four-meter-diameter GE90 fan stator modules.

In particular, the expanded AMES facility is outfitted with modern resources – including ultrasonic inspection systems for the fan stator modules’ composite panels and metallic components. The preventive maintenance inspections for GE90-100/115 fan cases are mandated by GE as the engine original equipment manufacturer, and are to be performed once they have accumulated 50,000 flight hours.

Maintenance, repair and overhaul activity is offered by AMES for countries in the Middle East, Gulf region and Indian peninsula, which represent one of the largest concentrations of Boeing 777s.

The MRO capacity for GE90 fan stator modules marks AMES’ latest growth, having started with an initial focus on jet engine nacelle repairs. AMES subsequently broadened the repair work to radomes and a wider range of engine nacelle types, then subsequently positioning itself for a full scope of composite aerostructure repairs – backed by the addition of a three-meter diameter autoclave. AMES is now looking to build on the resources in place, offering inspections and repairs on additional large engine modules as well as acoustic liners.

AMES supports Safran Nacelles-built nacelles in the region

Cédric Goubet, the Chief Executive Officer of Safran Nacelles, noted that AMES has become a key player the market of nacelle and aerostructure repairs, especially when composite materials are involved. AMES is strategically located where Safran Nacelles-built engine nacelles are flying with many of the region’s airlines on aircraft that include Airbus A380s (more than 130 in service or on order), A330s and A340s, along with a growing number of the latest A320neo and A330neo jetliner versions.

“It is very important for Safran Nacelles to offer local repair solutions that are guaranteed by us as a leading nacelle manufacturer,” Goubet added. “The AMES facility also serves as a source for spare parts to serve the region, as well as our base of operations for the NacelleLife^TM service offering to airline operators.”

• For additional information on AMES, see the joint venture’s website.