A380 nacelle air inlet

Safran’s subsidiary Aircelle has opened a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Pont-Audemer in the Normandy region of France.

Located adjacent to Aircelle Europe Services’ existing facility, the new centre doubles the company’s capacity for MRO on jet engine nacelle hardware.

Aircelle chairman and CEO Martin Sion said: "The workload of Aircelle Europe Services’ MRO activity has grown considerably since the company’s creation in 2002, and this new facility provides additional volume needed to handle our current thrust reverser and nacelle products, while also opening capacity for the new nacelles from Aircelle’s programme wins in recent years, in particular on A320neo and A330neo."

"The 4,500m² plant will also allow Aircelle to process equipment from other manufacturers."

The 4,500m² plant will also allow Aircelle to process equipment from other manufacturers.

Aircelle’s nacelles and thrust reversers are equipped on around 20 aircraft models, including Embraer 135/145, Embraer 170, Airbus A320, A330, A340, A380 and Saab 2000.

Earlier this year, Aircelle partnered with the Upper Normandy region to advance its nacelle technology programme, which includes production of composite parts, use of titanium in nacelle and development of new processes for repair and services.

Image: Aircelle supplies nacelles to around 20 aircraft models, including Airbus A380. Photo: courtesy of Philippe Stroppa / Aircelle / Safran.

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