The “new Ameco” (Stand H65) formed last May has seen an increase in line maintenance customers. In November, the MRO signed a two-year agreement for Airbus A330 heavy maintenance with Hong Kong Airlines.

The present-day company was created by joining Air China’s in-house MRO arm–Air China Technics–with the former Ameco joint venture between Air China and Lufthansa. Air China now owns 75 percent of the company; Lufthansa owns 25 percent. “After integration, the new Ameco is much stronger in its capabilities, output and network than before,” the company said.

Ameco currently consists of a Beijing base and nine branches, with maintenance licenses from authorities including the Civil Aviation Authority of China, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency. Its Chengdu branch developed a freighter conversion for the Boeing 757-200, which it expects to become a “star product.”

Last year, the Beijing base saw an increase of seven international customers for line maintenance. In addition to signing a contract with Hong Kong Airlines for A330 heavy maintenance, the company in November became the first MRO in China to perform line maintenance on the Airbus A350XWB, servicing the aircraft Finnair uses on its Helsinki-Shanghai route. Its line maintenance service covers all Airbus and Boeing in-service aircraft, including the A350 and Boeing 787.

Ameco entered the business jet maintenance market two years ago, and last year performed seven letter checks on business jets for an undisclosed customer. The MRO said it plans to acquire EASA design and production organization approvals to expand in the market.