SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2016

Avianca Inaugurates The Most Modern Aeronautic Center In Latin America

Colombia, September 28, 2106. In a ceremony attended by the President of the Republic, Juan Manuel Santos, Avianca and the country’s and the region’s aviation community celebrated the commissioning of the new MRO Avianca Aeronautic Center at the Jose Maria Cordova International Airport at Rionegro (Antioquia).

With an investment of more than USD50 million dollars, this facility is a fundamental step towards the consolidation of the Airline as a source of specialized technical knowledge and transforms Colombia into an important option for the international aeronautic maintenance industry. Avianca’s MRO – Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul – now becomes an excellent option for airlines that operate from and to destinations in Latin America, that will now have at their disposal a high quality maintenance and repair center, with major services certified by the governing bodies of international civil aviation.

Avianca’s President and CEO, Hernan Rincon, said: “With the commissioning of the MRO at Rionegro, Avianca consolidates its role as a development motor and positions itself as a source of innovation and progress for the national and international aviation industry. Through its facilities, technology and the talent at the aeronautical complex, at Avianca we seek to make an effective contribution to the economic and social development of eastern Antioquia and the aviation sector in general, as we are giving specialized technical training, process quality and growth of the regional economy a new boost”.

Highly Qualified Personnel

The MRO currently congregates more than 600 technicians and engineers certified to work on the A318, A319, A320, A321 and ATR72 fleets, who are also in the process of being accredited for the provision of maintenance and engineering services to equipment from the Boeing 787 and Airbus 330 fleets.

Avianca’s MRO occupies a total area of 44,300 square meters and includes an 8,400-square meter hangar (138 meters wide, 55 meters deep and free height of 19 meters), where it is possible to simultaneously service five single-aisle aircraft or two wide-frame aircraft – double aisle).

The maintenance complex also has a specialized workshop for the repair of components, as well as a full infrastructure that includes a platform for aircraft taxiing, offices, spare parts warehouses and three training classrooms with a capacity for 25 students each.

Productivity and Eco-efficient. With an innovative design, highly productive and efficient processes – LEAN – Avianca’s Aeronautical Center becomes the most modern and comfortable center of its kind at a world level. The working areas and the equipment included for operation and service allow for maximum productivity. Also, the systems for rainwater collection, recycling and energy optimization must be mentioned, as they place it at the frontline of clean and eco-efficient production.

The MRO’s construction and operation complies with the LEED certification standards – Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design-, becoming a model for sustainable buildings aimed at preserving the environment.

Rainwater Collection and Procurement System: The facilities have a system that allows to collect, treat and reuse rainwater in several technical processes.

Recycling Program: The MRO has a collection and selection center for non-hazardous materials (paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, aluminum, etc.) as well as hazardous materials (chemicals), for their further processing by specialized companies.

Energy Optimization: The facilities are designed to take maximum advantage of natural lighting and minimize the use of air conditioning. The system includes led lighting and some areas have shutoff sensors.

Likewise, the complex has the approval of the governing bodies of national and international civil aviation such as the Aeronautica Civil de Colombia, the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).