ASL Aviation Holdings and Sabena technics have announced an agreement under which the global aviation services group has assumed full ownership of X-air Services. The Liège and Brussels based maintenance organisation had been jointly owned on a fifty-fifty basis by ASL and Sabena technics.
ASL Airlines Belgium is X-Air’s largest customer and ASL Aviation Holdings other European airlines in Ireland and France also use the MRO’s facilities for light and heavy maintenance checks on B737-400 Classic and B737-800BCF next-generation aircraft. X-air also provides some maintenance services for ASL Belgium’s fleet of B747-400 freighter aircraft.
“We have enjoyed an excellent working partnership and this acquisition facilitates the business strategies of both ASL and Sabena technics in the coming years”, said Colin Grant, Chief Operating Officer of ASL Aviation Holdings. “This acquisition secures the maintenance expertise that ASL Airlines Belgium and our other airlines will need for our fleet of B737-400 Classic freighter aircraft. It will also deliver in-house maintenance capabilities for our growing fleet of B737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters. These are critical factors for ASL as we continue to develop our fleet around our customers growth and network requirements.”.
“Since the creation of X-air Services in 2009, Sabena technics has brought its MRO expertise to support and develop skills and know-how at sites in Liège and Brussels. These maintenance centres have become a reference in terms of operational excellence for the benefit of ASL’s B737 Classic and NG Freighter fleet. We are confident and delighted that this transfer will allow the continuous growth of the company within ASL group”, said Philippe Delisle, Chief Operating Officer of Sabena technics.
ASL Airlines Belgium has been working closely with X-air as both a 50 percent shareholder and customer and the MRO’s activities will continue as normal. The financial details of the transaction to purchase the Sabena technics shareholding in X-air Services are not being disclosed.