MAE, AIR MAURITIUS SIGN MAINTENANCE SUPPORT AGREEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines System Bhd's
wholly-owned unit, MAS Aerospace Engineering Sdn Bhd (MAE), has signed a
one-year agreement with Air Mauritius for the maintenance of eight aircraft --
six Airbus 340-200s and two Airbus 330-200s.

In a statement here Thursday, MAE said the agreement covered heavy
maintenance checks involving overhaul works and the repainting of the Air
Mauritius aircraft with new livery.

It said the services would be conducted at its one-stop facility in Subang
near here, which has the capacity to service over 200 planes annually.

MAS senior general manager, engineering and maintenance, Mohd Roslan Ismail,
said the partnership marked a breakthrough into the African aviation market,
especially southern Africa.

"Many of the small- and medium-sized airlines operate Airbus aircraft and we
have built our capabilities to include the A340s.

"It is also more cost-effective for them to send their aircraft here for
maintenance due to our proximity to southern Africa and lower manpower cost
compared to Europe," Roslan said.

He said MAE currently employed over 800 aircraft engineers and 3,000
technicians.

"As part of our expansion plans over the next few years, we plan to have an
additional 1,000 engineers and 2,500 technicians," he said.

Air Mauritius' executive vice president of technical services, Jacques
Gentil, said the airline was confident of MAE's expertise, experience and high
quality services.

"We believe in their capabilities and look forward to working with them for
our aircraft maintenance requirements," he said.

MAE is an award-winning maintenance, repair and overhaul provider with
over 100 customers.
-- BERNAMA


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