EVENDALE, Ohio - Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company (GAMCO), located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, acting on behalf of Gulf Air Company, has entered into a five-year Maintenance Cost Per HourSM (MCPHSM) contract, valued at more than $60 million, with GE Engine Services.
Under the terms of the contract, GE Engine Services will maintain the CFM56-5A3 and CFM56-5C3 engines that power, respectively, 14 Airbus Industrie A320-200 and six A340-300 aircraft in the Gulf Air fleet.
"We are very proud that Gulf Air, one of the Middle East's most prominent international carriers, places such confidence in us," said Bill Vareschi, vice president of GE Engine Services. "We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship."
GE's MCPH program provides maintenance support, on a flat rate per flying hour basis, specifically tailored to the participating airline's needs. As a result, the airline is better able to forecast expenses and manage costs.
Maintenance and repair of the engines will be performed at GE Aircraft Engines Services, Ltd. in Nantgarw, Wales.
GE Engine Services is the largest integrated engine maintenance resource in the world, with facilities not only in Wales, but also in: Cincinnati, Ohio; Ontario, California; Strother Field, Arkansas City, Kansas; and Singapore. Established more than 40 years ago, GE Engine Services currently provides complete maintenance support for CFM56, CF6, GE90, JT8, JT9, RB211, and Olympus aircraft engines, as well as for GE's family of aeroderivative engines for marine and industrial applications.
GAMCO is a joint venture between the government of Abu Dhabi and Gulf Air. GAMCO facilities include a three-bay hangar that can accommodate three wide-body aircraft or two 747s, an engine overhaul shop, a test cell for engines rated at up to 100,000 pounds of thrust, and component overhaul shops with ATEC 5000 and ATEC 6000 capabilities.
GAMCO provides maintenance services for a wide range of civil and military aircraft plus technical handling at Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports. GAMCO provides complete technical support for the entire Gulf Air fleet, including scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, maintenance planning, engineering, quality assurance, material procurement, and inventory management.