AMAC Aerospace, a major privately-owned aircraft maintenance and repair specialist known for its Swiss excellence in aviation, has started 2020 well with a series of key orders, following a successful 2019.

The Basel-based group began the new year with a contract for a KA-Band installation on an Airbus A321, the company’s first KA-Band installation on an Airbus A321. Then followed the arrival of an Airbus A330 from an already existing client for a heavy base maintenance check; a refurbishment deal for an A319 from a Swiss airline company; and a 24-month check on an Airbus A318.

Arabian Knight spoke to Waleed Muhiddin, Director Business Development & Marketing, AMAC Aerospace, regarding the company’s achievements of 2019 and its plans for 2020 and beyond.

“The year 2019 was an important one for us; it was a year of diversification via maintenance inputs with regards to modifications and upgrades within their respective downtime(s),” he said.

“It was also an important year since we undertook two large projects: the ACJ 320neo as well as the BBJ 747-8i (work on the latter is still ongoing). 2019 allowed us to be at the forefront of new technologies and the interior production for the ACJ 320neo,” said Muhiddin.

The ACJ 320neo will be highlighted by Acropolis Aviation at EBACE in May in Geneva.

He said the outlook for AMAC Aerospace for 2020 is very good and stable. “We are very proud to put into service the first ACJ 320neo after having successfully finished this prestigious completion project. This is also true for our second completion project on a BBJ 747-8i, which will be re-delivered to our esteemed customer in Q3, 2020. AMAC Aerospace is the only completion centre to receive two BBJ 747-8i projects to date,” he said.

What new projects/expansions can be expected in the year? “We are in constant dialogue with Airbus and Boeing about new products and platforms. However, we have always an open door for customers interested in working with us. We are happy to welcome them at our facilities or at any airshow where we participate this year,” he added.

AMAC is a major participant at the EBACE every year. This May too the company will showcase its expertise at the show.

“We are looking forward to welcome our business partners and customers alike at our booth at EBACE2020. We will inform clients and visitors about our highlights like the second completion project for BBJ 747-8i and our thriving partnership with Honeywell. For our excellent collaboration with the company, we were awarded with the ‘Channel Partner Awards’.

“We will also continue to deliver unparalleled solutions like the Ka-Band installations to new and existing clients. And, last but not least, we are focusing on our fifth hangar in Basel, which will be opened this year and will allow us to grow further,” he added.

AMAC Aerospace was also recently awarded the ISO 45001-2018 certificate. By certifying to this ISO standard, AMAC Aerospace ensures that health protection becomes an integral part of the company culture, said officials. The well-being of AMAC’s employees is of high importance to the organisation and to the people working for the company, they add.

The ISO 45001 standard supports AMAC in identifying risks from accidents or overloading in time and implements effective measures to protect AMAC’s employees. In this way, AMAC Aerospace is able to prevent breakdowns and disruptions in the company and benefits from a well-functioning value chain that also satisfies their clients.

This certification includes as well its external partners, like providers, contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers.

“We are very proud having received the ISO 45001:2018 certificate. AMAC Aerospace is among the first in our industry to fulfill all requirements for the ISO 45001:2018 and we highly appreciate that all our employees, in all ranks, have contributed to our health and safety programme and therefore to this certificate,” said Philippe Schurrer, Director Safety & Security, Facility Management.