Airline Services announces dedicated Interiors business at AIX, Hamburg.

Monday 13th April 2015

Airline Services Ltd returns to Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg this week (Hall 6 Stand B78) - under strengthened new management and with a streamlined structure as it repositions the 30-year old UK business for growth.

In Hamburg it is showcasing a raft of capabilities under Airline Services Interiors, one of the three new divisions, complementing Components and Handling. Each has their own business managers, under the ultimate leadership of CEO Mike Humphreys, who joined the company in June 2014.

The newly formed Airline Services Interiors business, headed by Managing Director Martin Barnes, who joined Airline Services from Virgin Atlantic and Threesixty Aerospace, combines the company's existing workshops and soft furnishings business and focuses on three product streams;  Managed Solutions, Through Life Services and Engineered Products. Managed Solutions brings together its in-house EASA Part 21J and part 21G design and production capabilities to deliver customised solutions for airlines that want to redesign, refurbish or upgrade their cabin interiors, passenger seating and IFE.

Through Life Services, delivered from facilities near London Stansted and Manchester Airports has been what Airline Services is primarily known for by its 100 airline and leasing company  customers, delivering repair and maintenance services for aircraft seats and galley equipment.  Recent additions to this expertise include its work in passenger service units and monitors for IFE systems, together with the refurbishment and repair of a full range of interiors components..

Engineered Products specialises in the cost effective supply of engineered parts for customers.  Expertise also includes the use of reverse engineering using laser scanning and a 3D printing facility at its Manchester facility. Martin and newly appointed Director of Sales and Marketing Mark Stevens, formerly with GE Aviation and SR Technics, are both hosting at AIX Expo.

Airline Services Handling expands into ground handling

First customer is Monarch Airlines at Gatwick Airport

The new Airline Services Handling is also split into three product streams - De-icing; Ground Handling and Aircraft Presentation.  At the end of last year Airline Services moved into passenger and baggage handling for the first time when it took over the ground handling for Monarch Airlines at Gatwick Airport, UK.  An additional 120 staff were recruited and trained  for this sector, bolstering Airline Services' staff numbers to over 800.  Handling embraces airport ramp services including de-icing, where ASL is the market leader, being present at 11 airports in the UK; external washing and cabin cleaning, plus a raft of other ramp services including laundry and dry cleaning and carpet fitting.

Airline Service Components continues at London Gatwick, headed by Chris Hooley.  The business is focused on component trading, repair cycle management and Power by the Hour services with 24/7 AOG support.  Of late the business has moved into aircraft tear-downs, complementing its prime activities in component management support.   

"We have spent the last six months with our management, supported by our backers Lloyds Development Capital (LDC), addressing the future path of the business.  We took the decision to withdraw from non-core activities and focus Airline Services on three dedicated business units where we can deliver a competitive advantage to our customers and the contracts we are winning are long term, diverse and global.

"Our ability to support airlines across ground handling, components and cabin interiors is unique and it positions us well as we target further growth in domestic and international aerospace markets," said Mike Humphreys.