AirAsia opens new Maintenance Hangar Facility

AirAsia today opened it's new hangar, situated at the intersection of D12 taxi way of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. AirAsia's new maintenance hangar facility cost RM 2.2 million to build.

The new hangar can easily accommodate a new generation Boeing 737-800 or an Airbus A320. The hangar was designed by Axis Architectural Partnership and Subur Ehsan Sdn Bhd and BMS Engineering were commissioned to build and install the interior of the hangar.

AirAsia's new hangar features an enhanced lighting system which is capable to produce cold, bright, white light to simulate a daylight environment. The Hangar is also equipped with wireless communication lines for telephone, fax and internet functions to allow the latest (updated) online manuals link to Seattle, Washington, USA. In addition, the Hangar is weather-built to withstand wind speed of 100 miles an hour.

The hangar will enable AirAsia to carry out routine maintenance (A check - basic periodic servicing of aircraft) and defect rectification of AirAsia's fleet of Boeing 737-300s. Currently, AirAsia subcontracts its heavy maintenance to MAS and ST Aerospace Engineering. With the conception of the hangar, AirAsia will now be able to carry out its own maintenance and rectification under its capable team of Engineers headed by Syed Feisal. 

AirAsia's Engineering team was recently authorized to perform equalization checks.

The ability to perform its (AirAsia) own maintenance and routine checks will translate into more cost savings for the low fares airline, as it is estimated that AirAsia will save some 30-35% on maintenance fees by reducing costs incurred from a third party.

Wan Hasmar Azim Wan Hassan, Chief of Engineering, AirAsia  said, "This is a proud day for all of us in AirAsia. With the hangar in placed, AirAsia has positioned itself to be in a competitive environment in terms of the efficiency of its operations. We will now be able to be in control of our own maintenance checks. This will create a sense of ownership from AirAsia's team of engineers, who understands the requirements and constraints of a low fares carrier, and thus ensuring that we have the safest and most efficient aircraft in operation".

Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia, "This is a significant moment for AirAsia as we start to take in more delivery of new aircrafts (lease and purchased) to accommodate for the ever increasing demands of the public to ply more domestic and regional routes. Also, congratulations and well done to AirAsia's Team of Engineers for being granted the rights to perform equalization checks, and being the first in the region to achieve it.".