VEM DELIVERS THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE AIRBUS TO EXPRESS.NET

[AeroEntusiasta]

( Fonte: VEM - Varig Engineering and Maintenance )

VEM DELIVERS THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE AIRBUS TO EXPRESS.NET

Rio de Janeiro, August 20th, 2005 – The last aircraft from a total of five Airbus A300B4, was delivered to Express.Net, last week, on August 12th, by VEM-Varig Engineering & Maintenance. The five cargo airplanes were overhauled in a consecutive way, since August 30th, 2004, when the first aircraft of that Company arrived at VEM's Rio de Janeiro Hangar. VEM received its FAA certification in August 2004, and in the same week, the contract with Express.Net for the first aircraft was signed.

Right after the delivery of the first aircraft, in October 2004, a new contract was settled, for more two aircraft. Successively, the forth and fifth Airbus came for a heavy maintenance check at VEM’s facilities. The five aircraft had almost the same workscope differing in some specific engineering orders. It included inspection checks, several ADs implementation, CPCP program, TCAS (traffic alert and collision avoidance system) installation, large structural repair, painting, other mandatory services and some specific modifications, like the reinforced cockpit door installation, in accordance with the latest FAA anti-hijacking rules.

The whole Project was considered a success. The expertise of Express.Net’s team, who followed all services closely with VEM’s group, was of great importance to this achievement. For several times Express.Net praised VEM for its high level technical quality and workforce commitment. Express.Net’s Reps were also very fast in taking decisions, what contributed a lot for the services development.

The experience acquired with the first Airbus was very good and an important step towards gaining capability in other Airbus models. Its largest customer – VARIG, with a total-care contract with VEM, does not fly the Airbus model since 1986 approximately, but the expertise already existed in the company. Model specific training, methods, processes, tooling, quality control and facilities adequacy, were all carefully inspected by FAA and the certification was obtained. A group of engineers and technicians received specific training for the Express.Net program and has worked throughout the five aircraft, with few small changes.

VEM’s state-of-the-art technology, recognized worldwide for its excellence in aeronautical maintenance and furthermore its competitive prices compensate for the costs of ferrying the aircraft to Brazil. Some other companies with A300 fleets have already contacted VEM for services. Market forecast shows that in the near future Airbus will have the same market share as Boeing. Besides A-300 series, VEM is prepared to provide maintenance services for other Airbus models, including the A320 series. FAA/EASA certification can be obtained upon signature of maintenance agreements with American and European registered aircraft. This seems to be a very good market, for which VEM is ready to compete.