Bombardier enhances Q400 support
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft recently signed a seven-year Smart Parts agreement with Widerøes Flyveselskap AS (Widerøe) to provide component management for the airlines fleet of Q400 aircraft, whilst also strengthening its parts support portfolio for Q Series aircraft by entering into a collaborative agreement with 3 Points Aviation.
“We are pleased to further deepen our relationship with Bombardier by joining the Smart Parts programme to support our fleet of Q400 aircraft with a total component support solution,” said Morten Skoglund, Accountable Manager and COO, Widerøe. “We have trusted Bombardier for decades with maintenance, spares and fleet requirements and they have delivered the level of expertise, service and quality that fits well with the delivery expectations of Widerøe and our customers.”
“As a long-time operator of Bombardier products for more than 60 years, we are delighted to welcome Widerøe to our Smart Parts program,” said Todd Young, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services and Q400 Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Our Smart Parts program furnishes our operators with cost predictability and superior parts availability, and is exceedingly adaptable to meet our customers’ varied business models. We look forward to continuing our long-term relationship with Widerøe in supporting the airline’s Q400 aircraft operation.”
The Smart Parts programme provides comprehensive component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, access to a strategically located exchange pool, and an on-site inventory based at the airline’s hub in Sandefjord.
Meanwhile, under the agreement with 3 Points Aviation, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft provides engineering specifications to assist 3 Points Aviation gain Parts Manufacture Approvals (PMA) from aviation authorities. These approvals give Bombardier operators the choice to purchase OEM-produced parts or PMA parts manufactured by an authorised third party. This will improve the overall part availability for Bombardier’s Q Series aircraft.
“Facilitating the availability of PMA parts through companies such as 3 Points Aviation provides our customers with more choices to support their operations,” said Todd Young, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services and Q400 Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “This is another way in which Bombardier is identifying and developing new opportunities to provide greater value and support to our customers.”
“3 Points is excited to be collaborating with Bombardier for the mutual support of Q Series aircraft operators and the availability of the resulting PMA parts is a game changer,” said John Druken, CEO, 3 Points Aviation. “While Bombardier continues to offer its OEM parts it will also be able, through its key customer-interfacing role, to open doors to additional options for its customers in terms of PMA Q Series parts built by an authorised third party manufacturer. This collaboration between 3 Points and a progressive OEM like Bombardier is key to our continued success.”
The agreement between Bombardier and 3 Points Aviation leverages strengths from both companies. Bombardier’s focus on providing competitive advantages to its customers via the FlightAdvantage program is further enhanced by 3 Points Aviation’s capabilities as a Transport Canada approved parts manufacturer and MRO supplier to support Bombardier’s existing customer base.