The company’s technical specialists completed some 2.153 million standard hours in 2018, a 7.7 per cent year-over-year improvement

Russian maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider S7 Technics enjoyed an increase in workload at its bases last year as the demand for aircraft maintenance in Russia and the CIS grew substantially.

The MRO performed 83 heavy maintenance checks in the period, 32 of which (almost 40 per cent) accounted for base maintenance work and re-deliveries, each project representing a significantly large amount of work. The growing demand for heavy checks and re-deliveries at S7 Technics’ bases reflects the entire region’s aviation market trend and reflects the recent peak of aircraft deliveries to Russia, the largest increase since 2008. Demand continues to show signs of growth, with two currently on-going lease-return projects for major global lessors that are due to be completed in 2019.

During 2018, three S7 Technics’ bases – at Domodedovo (Moscow), Mineralnye Vody and Tolmachevo (Novosibirsk) airports – collectively provided 28,600 component repairs, a 27 per cent improvement, whilst performing 97,600 standard hours of work, up by 34 per cent.

At the same time, many new opportunities have emerged for students attending the S7 Technics Aviation Training Center, especially as the main achievement for the Training Center team has been mastering the CFM LEAP-1B-powered Boeing 737 MAX, a new aircraft type for Russian civil aviation. After coaches of S7 Technics Aviation Training Center received their instruction at the training centre of the US aircraft manufacturer in Seattle, they was subsequently approved for theoretical and practical training for the new type and the first theoretical training status for the Boeing 737 MAX in Russia has already been completed.

Given the expansion of activities, the ground footprint of the Training Center facilities increased last year, and the number of its specialists rose to 16. Also last year, the center, which has its own EASA Part 147 certificate, underwent regular scheduled inspections and audits carried out by the European aviation authorities.

Meanwhile, S7 Technics is continuing to introduce lean production tools into its work activities. With the involvement of external consultants, the company has established a Lean Basic course for initial training, in which more than half of S7 Technics’ workforce has completed 90 training sessions.

In order to reduce the time required for carrying out line maintenance, the Kit Car project was implemented at Domodedovo Airport, whereby several vehicles have been converted into mobile warehouses that then expeditiously deliver relevant spare parts, consumables, tools and equipment to aircraft parking places.

Among the main tasks expected of S7 Technics for the current year are completion of the AMOS system implementation, expansion of cooperation with leasing companies and further improvement of customer services, the company says.