The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today welcomes Oman Air and Yemenia (Yemen Airways) as the latest airlines to sign up for the Next-Generation
737 Spares Exchange Program. The two airlines join other operators around the
world enrolled in the program, which gives airlines fast access to critical spare
parts without the high costs associated with keeping such parts in inventory.
Oman Air enrolled five airplanes in the program, and Yemenia enrolled three
airplanes.
The program is offered through Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, and will
enable Oman Air and Yemenia to maintain a minimal inventory of dispatch critical
line replaceable units (LRUs). These are high-value items for which repair is time
consuming and costly. Holding multiple spare LRUs in inventory is a substantial expense, typically
millions of dollars per year.
Under the Spares Exchange Program, Boeing ships an exchange replacement
within one day of receiving an order. The removed unit is sent to Boeing, which
arranges for repair, overhaul or modification. Units are restored to airworthy
condition, upgraded to reflect the latest design changes and returned to the
exchange inventory pool. Customers sign up for a term of up to 10 years, paying
a rate that covers about 300 LRUs. The rate is based on fleet
size and flight hours.
"For Oman Air and Yemenia, this program is good business and an excellent fit"
said Lou Mancini, vice president of Maintenance Services for Boeing Commercial
Aviation Services.
"The program will help these two airlines reduce their inventory and repair
expenses, and will also stabilize long term maintenance budget planning. This is
another example of how Boeing is helping customers succeed by helping them
reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies."
The Spares Exchange Program was launched in December 1999. Boeing is
currently involved in significant proposal activity for the program in other parts of
the world.
Boeing Commercial Aviation Services delivers global air transport solutions,
including its renowned customer support, integrated and digitally based
information services, planning regimes for flight operations and maintenance
operations, airplane modifications and technical services. Commercial Aviation
Services works to help customers generate more revenue flying hours, add value
to airplane life cycle and enhance aviation safety. |
