Primera Air signs for Airbus FHS-TSP powered by Skywise

A321LR launch customer relies on Airbus expertise to debut its transatlantic operations

· Full FHS-TSP in Europe driving the opening of a new pool and new Engineering Centre of Competence in London Stansted

· First comprehensive maintenance solution with FHS powered by Skywise for the first A321LR operator

Primera Air, the Riga, Latvia-based airline, has selected Airbus Flight Hour Services – Tailored Support Package (FHS-TSP) for its complete fleet of A321neo aircraft (including the A321LR). Under the agreement, Airbus will handle component services (pool, on-site stocks at main bases and outstations, repair), logistics, warehousing, transportation, fleet technical management and line maintenance services for Primera Air. This will be supported by the newly opened Airbus FHS pools in London Heathrow and Miami, USA and coordinated by a dedicated Airbus Fleet Technical Management (FTM) team located in London Stansted, interfacing with Airbus teams worldwide.

Airbus FHS will be strengthened by Airbus’ data platform Skywise, taking advantage of state-of-the-art data hosting and analytics to optimise Primera Air’s A321neo fleet utilisation. This new service will harness ‘big data’ to greatly enhance levels of operational performance, compared with current industry technologies. Thanks to Skywise, Airbus FHS-TSP will proactively deliver parts and inventory forecasting, dynamic and virtual supply chain optimisation, while boosting operational and management efficiencies.

Hrafn Thorgeirsson, CEO of Primera Air said: “Our new Airbus A321neos are just around the corner. One of the biggest challenges in introducing a new aircraft type into any airline is to create from scratch the right environment for them with regards to both flight and technical operations. This is why we decided to contract Airbus for its superb Flight Hour Services and Tailored Support Package powered by Skywise - which will ensure that Primera will have the most capable minds and hands from Airbus working closely with our Technical Teams here in Riga and Copenhagen to keep our planes flying on time.”

Laurent Martinez, Head of Services by Airbus business unit said: “We are proud to welcome Primera Air as our very first FHS Powered by Skywise customer in Europe. We have an excellent track record of driving the highest levels of daily utilisation and operational performance with our FHS-TSP customers and we are pleased to be entrusted by another airline. We are excited to launch the new era of FHS Powered by Skywise in collaboration with Primera, and to be a fully integrated partner in their innovative journey.”

This FHS-TSP will support the opening in May of Primera’s new transatlantic routes to the US and Canada (including Newark, Boston and Toronto) from its three European main bases (London Stansted, Birmingham and Paris CDG).

Airbus FHS encompasses a portfolio of fully integrated component services, aircraft engineering and maintenance management, to enable the highest levels of aircraft availability and dispatch performance. Through FHS, airlines and operators can leverage Airbus’ wide and flexible portfolio of products and services, supported by its global team of aerospace professionals.