JSSI Air King Jet Deal Marks 10,000th Asset
JSSI president and CEO Neil Book, right, congratulates v-p of business development Kevin Thomas on signing up the 10,000th aviation asset to be supported by JSSI since 1989. (Photo: Mark Phelps)

JSSI (Jet Support Services, Inc.) signed a contract here at EBACE with Geneva-based operator Air King Jet, marking the 10,000th aviation asset to be covered by a JSSI hourly cost maintenance program. In this case, the deal is for Platinum coverage for the engines and APU on Air King Jet’s new Bombardier Global 6000 (the aircraft is due to be delivered after the show).

Chicago-based JSSI (Booth 1251), whose European office is located at England’s Farnborough Airport, has been providing maintenance programs for aircraft engines, airframes and auxiliary power units (APUs) since 1989. Similar to an insurance policy, the participant makes regular payments, and maintenance is completely covered under the program.

Air King Jet currently operates two Bombardier Global Expresses, both of which already have JSSI protection on engines and APUs. JSSI’s Platinum program is geared specifically to long-range jets such as the Global series.

The company’s Platinum program for its Global 6000 covers scheduled maintenance inspections; unscheduled maintenance events; 24/7 worldwide technical support; future mandatory and recommended service bulletins; future airworthiness directives; JSSI technical advisor on site during engine shop visits; allowance for troubleshooting labor costs; rental engines; removal and replacement; shipping; and supplemental lift during aircraft downtime.

The ultimate in full maintenance coverage at JSSI is its Tip-to-Tail program, covering airframe, engines and APU. The all-inclusive program covers virtually every assembly and system on board with one contract, making JSSI the single contact for all maintenance, scheduled or unscheduled. The program also covers regular preventive maintenance, inspections and replacement of life-limited components.

The regular payments are usually based on the number of hours the aircraft flies, and the service provider (it could be the engine or airframe manufacturer, or a third-party maintenance organization) covers the maintenance and is reimbursed by JSSI. The program is attractive to corporate flight departments, in particular, because it spreads out the expense of aircraft maintenance into regular payments that are easier to track and fit into a corporate budget. It eliminates the possibility of high-cost surprises.

There’s another sound financial reason for turning to JSSI to manage maintenance costs, said the company, and that is return on investment. Aircraft that are maintained under such programs are far more valuable on the pre-owned market, it believes, and buyers know that operators of JSSI aircraft are encouraged to address every squawk, since the work is already “paid for.” Parts are also less expensive based on bulk buying power–JSSI works with large numbers of aircraft. Another advantage is JSSI’s assortment of affiliated shops throughout the world. Should the operator need unscheduled service on a trip outside its usual itinerary, it’s helpful to know that JSSI knows whom to call to get the airplane off the ground again.