APS lands deal with Lion Air for ATR fleet

MRO specialist Aircraft Propeller Service (APS) has signed a five-year contract with Lion Air Group for comprehensive propeller maintenance support of Lion Air’s fleet of 80 ATR 72’s, including exclusivity for propeller blade repairs and overhauls. Financial details were not disclosed. Lion Air currently has the world’s largest fleet of ATRs, which will grow to 100 planes once all current orders are delivered. APS will initially provide MRO services to Lion Air from its Lake Zurich, IL headquarters in the US, with plans to launch a facility in the Asia-Pacific region in 2020 where Lion Air’s fleet will then be maintained. According to APS Director of Market Development Chris Hutchings, “the contract award to APS is a natural follow-on to our company’s prior support the Lion Air Group (which is) an indication that our service quality and additional offerings were both competitive and met Lion Air’s demanding standards.” Hutchings noted that the proposed Asia-Pacific facility, combined with APS’ proprietary repairs and inspection processes, will give the company a strong competitive advantage in that region. He added: “When combined with our exceptional quality, dedicated and experienced team and eagerness to keep low-cost operators flying, we anticipate that our distinctive value proposition will continue to drive continued growth and reinforce APS’ position as the preeminent propeller system MRO in the world.”