Air Austral and AFI KLM E&M Sign Engine Support Agreement at Paris Air Show 2025

Air Austral and AFI KLM E&M Renew Engine Support Partnership at Paris Air Show 2025

French airline Air Austral has renewed and expanded its collaboration with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) by signing a new engine support agreement for its fleet of three Boeing 777 aircraft. The contract, announced at the Paris Air Show 2025, encompasses spare engine availability, repair services, and access to bare engine accessories during shop visits. This comprehensive arrangement is designed to optimize maintenance scheduling and reduce operational downtime for the carrier.

Strengthening a Longstanding Collaboration

The renewed agreement reinforces the enduring partnership between Air Austral and AFI KLM E&M, underscoring the latter’s commitment to providing tailored, end-to-end technical services to airline operators worldwide. Air Austral’s Boeing 777s play a pivotal role in its long-haul operations, particularly on the key route linking Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) with Réunion Island (RUN).

Under the terms of the new contract, AFI KLM E&M will guarantee the availability of a spare GE90-115 engine, a vital asset for sustaining Air Austral’s intercontinental flights. Additionally, the agreement grants the airline access to essential engine accessories throughout maintenance periods, facilitating streamlined servicing and minimizing aircraft downtime.

Vincent Guerin, Air Austral’s technical director, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “Our Boeing 777 aircraft are the backbone of our intercontinental service, and ensuring their performance is a top priority. We require a maintenance partner that offers not only technical excellence but also deep understanding of our operational realities. AFI KLM E&M has consistently delivered both. Their proven ability to support GE90 engines and respond rapidly to any situation gives us the confidence we need to operate at the highest standards.”

Aymeric Mechin, vice president of commercial for the Middle East and Africa at AFI KLM E&M, expressed pride in continuing the collaboration: “We are honoured to continue with Air Austral, a long-time customer that places safety, efficiency, and reliability at the heart of its operations. Our team is deeply familiar with the GE90 engine and 777 aircraft, and we’re proud to bring that expertise to support such a critical fleet. This contract reaffirms our position as a trusted partner, offering customized, high-performance MRO solutions that help airlines achieve operational excellence – wherever and whenever needed.”

Navigating Industry Challenges and Market Dynamics

The agreement arrives amid ongoing post-pandemic supply chain disruptions that continue to challenge the aviation sector. AFI KLM E&M has adapted its operations to maintain continuity in engine support services despite these obstacles. Industry analysts observe that such contracts enhance market confidence in the reliability of engine maintenance, not only for GE90 engines but also for other models such as the Leap-1A and Leap-1B, thereby improving operational flexibility and mitigating the risk of service interruptions.

This development is also expected to prompt competitive responses from other engine support providers, who may seek to enhance their offerings to preserve market share amid persistent supply chain uncertainties. The broader context of the Paris Air Show 2025, characterized by a focus on technological innovation, supply chain resilience, and evolving geopolitical dynamics, highlights the strategic importance of robust maintenance partnerships in the contemporary aviation landscape.