Singapore-based MRO provider Ametek has added the Airbus A350 to its list of airplane models it maintains, extending the number of airworthiness approvals to offer support options for the type's full suite of cargo and galley heaters.

In recent years, the company’s new investments to support aircraft such as the A350 have helped it to execute its strategy to expand the range of repair services to airlines across the broader region, including China and Japan.

“The A350 has a range of around 15,000 km, so it is hardly surprising that operators are choosing this aircraft to service their long-haul routes,” said Dave Corish, divisional vice president and general manager of Ametek Singapore. “As such, it is crucial to be able to provide comprehensive maintenance solutions, particularly in regions such as Asia-Pacific, where European- and U.S.-based MROs are not viable repair options from a logistics point of view.”

Ametek Singapore will work with its sister company Ametek Airtechnology Group to provide this additional global aftermarket support for its suite of A350 electrical heaters. Ametek Airtechnology Group specializes in the design, development, and manufacture of thermal management and motion control products.

According to Corish, the pandemic has driven changes to Ametek’s overall strategy.

“We will be influenced by fleet retirements, airline restructuring, and airline purchasing strategies,” said Corish. “Many aviation businesses have seen a downturn in revenue and will seize the opportunity to align their businesses with the new aftermarket that emerges post-pandemic. As OEMs look to maximize opportunities on relatively new platforms—such as the A350 and B787—without significantly increasing their local footprint, they will seek third-party MROs, like Ametek, that have invested significantly in local capabilities. These OEMs will be interested in partnering on product repair and licensing agreements, especially for more mature product lines.”