Flybe to host major international aviation forum

Flybe Aviation Services, the aircraft maintenance division of Flybe, and the Recognised Embraer Service Centre for Europe, has been chosen by the Brazilian-based manufacturer to host its annual Operators’ Maintenance Forum in Exeter later this month.

The event will see regional aircraft operators from all over the world head to the South West for the two-day programme during which they will also see firsthand the comprehensive range of cost-efficient maintenance services offered by Flybe’s ‘one stop’ Aviation Services’ workshops.

Flybe’s Director Aviation Services, Marshall Barrand says: “We are naturally delighted to host this prestigious event that will see Embraer customers from all over the world visit Exeter for the very first time. It is great news for Flybe and highlights Flybe’s commitment to contributing to the regional economy.”

Flybe’s Aviation Services’ state of the art facility, housed in the impressive New Walker Hangar, is the largest regional maintenance facility in Europe from which the company supports a diverse and impressive global group of customers. Its workshops offer fully capable, flexible solutions that incorporate the widest range of services available, a service unrivalled by any other similar facility in the sector and one that provides an efficient service with guaranteed downtimes so critically important to the economic and sustainable operation of any airline.

The workshop bays, totalling 2910 m2 (31,322 ft2) offer seamless seven day a week coverage on a number of specialist and generalist capabilities including composite repairs, aircraft wing repairs, Non Destructive Testing (a variety of sophisticated techniques available to any aircraft in any location), battery checks, calibration, wheels, safety equipment and paint services. Some of these capabilities employ the use of specialist materials rarely available such as the use of titanium in welding.

Essentially, as a one stop shop, Flybe workshops offer every maintenance service required from extensive repairs and work on major aircraft structures to checking and maintaining first aid kits stowed on the aircraft.

Adds Mr Barrand: “We are extremely upbeat about the future of Flybe Aviation Services and there is a lot of potential to expand ever further our maintenance and workshop capabilities.

"We are well placed to allow this growth potential to be recognised and, with our undoubted skills as a recognised centre for training excellence, to continuing to provide and attract sustainable work and jobs to the South West.”