BlueLink

Reflecting on the three dynamic and productive days in Chicago, spent alongside the teams from our subsidiaries Barfield, EPCOR, CRMA, and our joint-ventures XCelle Americas and BonusTech.

By the numbers... 14,662 attendees came through the show doors (+10% vs. MRO AMERICAS 2023) Our booth welcomed more than 220 clients Our sales teams conducted 110 meetings 3 signature ceremonies were held (Hawaiian Airlines, CTRL, and AerFin) 1 LEAP Conference that gathered 11 operators to learn market insights and share valuable feedback 3 product showcases: Prognos (predictive maintenance), MRO Lab (damage assessment engineering robot) and GTSE (Barfield ground support test equipment) Our Customer Event held at the Willis Tower drew an attendance of 335 participants

As we look forward, we are excited to build upon the successes of this edition, fostering partnerships and driving innovation!

Number of square meters that EPCOR, one of our subsidiaries specializing on APU MRO, will add to its Amsterdam facility (from 4,000 to 10,000), to support its ambitions of growth and sustainability.

This expansion project, named EPCOR XXL, marks not only an increase in the operational capacity but also a steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. As the global aviation industry continues its upward trajectory, the operational facility is expanding to meet the increasing demand. The aim is to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and ensure optimal service delivery, aligning with EPCOR’s vision to remain at the forefront of the aviation sector.

At the core of the expansion lies a dedication to reducing the ecological footprint, as sustainability is no longer an option but a necessity. EPCOR is proud to become one of the leading examples in the MRO sector. From the outset, environmental consciousness has guided many aspects of the project. The design of the new facility therefore incorporates: cutting-edge technologies and eco-friendly materials to minimize energy consumption and environmental impact Energy-efficient lighting, advanced insulation and heat pumps that will reduce the gas consumption to nearly zero A pro-active bicycle plan to encourage employees to come to the office by bike A state-of-the-art waste water machine: a natural and very clean method to purify waste, rinse, and process water at very low energy costs and without the use of chemicals. A 90% reduction in wastewater is no exception.

Sustainability extends beyond the confines of our facility; it permeates every aspect of our operations, including procurement. We are committed to sourcing eco-friendly materials and supplies whenever possible, opting for products with minimal environmental impact and adhering to stringent sustainability standards. By embracing innovative technologies, renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly practices, we are setting a new standard for environmental responsibility in the aviation industry. Stay tuned for the Grand Opening of EPCOR XXL in Q2 2025!

Interview of Rob Koedijk, Product Development Manager

Moving towards sustainable aviation means a significant push towards new generation aircraft and Sustainable Aviation Fuels. However, for smaller aircraft, battery electric, hybrid and hydrogen electric aircraft are under development. These will be used in electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as well as electric conventional take off and landing (eCTOL) aircraft.

Hundreds of companies worldwide are developing concepts and significant amounts of venture capital is being invested. The first electric aircraft is already certified (which is already being used for AFKL pilot training) and more aircraft will be entering our skies in the next decade running towards turboprop sized aircraft.

New aircraft with new propulsion methods require a change in the complete ecosystem. From new charging/ refueling equipment to new “vertiports” for eVTOLs. In this ecosystem, MRO is taking an important position making sure that these aircraft can be operated safe during their entire lifetime. These new aircraft will have far fewer moving parts than conventional aircraft, but many propulsion systems contain high-value life limited parts such as batteries. Secondly, many OEMs are incorporating higher percentages of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components. This leads to lower component value and a higher chance of single use components. For certain high value and safety critical components, shop repair would still be a valid option.[1]

[1] Alton Aviation Consultancy, 2022

In 2022, AFI KLM E&M has made the first steps in developing market by signing MOUs with Ampaire (hybrid electric), Ascendance Flight Technologies (hybrid electric eVTOL) and ZeroAvia (hydrogen electric). Using these MOUs, different aspects of the requirements of the aftermarket for new propulsion methods are being assessed. The first tangible product we can see before an entry into services of a new aircraft/engine is the training. Normally, licensed engineers can be type trained for new aircraft. However, the licensing category is in development from EASA. AFI KLM E&M is working on maintenance engineers training under Part 66 and we expect that this will be available early 2025 and will be certified under EASA regulation following currently proposed regulation. This training is developed in our network, currently in Amsterdam in combination with KLM UK Engineering in Norwich. AFI KLM E&M is also actively participating with industry and regulators for building together a safe and sustainable aviation. So quite exciting perspectives coming up!