Skybus becomes largest customer for Air+ by Airbus Support Package

Airbus has signed an agreement with Skybus Airlines for a Total Support Package to maintain its recently announced purchase of 65 A319 aircraft. This package is the most comprehensive selection ever of Airbus' fleet maintenance solutions built on the Air+ by Airbus services, offering a modular portfolio of support and services created by Airbus to enable its customers to meet their business objectives of increased fleet availability and reduced operating cost.

The Total Support Package will be delivered to Skybus over 12 years from 2007 and will cover aircraft maintenance, components management and support, engineering and technical services for the Skybus fleet. Airbus has selected the Airbus Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Network member Singapore Technologies Aerospace and Airbus equipment manufacturer Messier Bugatti to cooperate in performing this service.

"The Total Support Package from Air+ by Airbus will enable Skybus to rely on the experience and expertise offered by Airbus and its partners with regard to maintenance, engineering, reliability, and supply stream management," said Skybus President Ken Gile. "We believe the structure of the agreement will allow Skybus to have better control of the costs associated with technical operations. A fixed technical operations cost gives predictability to our overall cost structure in addition to allowing Skybus to maintain its competitive edge in the low cost airline market."

"It is motivating to validate the attractiveness of our Air+ by Airbus offer," said Patrick Gavin, Airbus Executive Vice President, Customer Services."Offering this product with our partners allows Airbus to introduce an innovative and timely product to Skybus Airlines. We are looking forward to the success this programme will bring to Skybus. The Total Support Package provided with our MRO Network and equipment manufacturer partners will secure the cost of operation of Skybus for many years to come."

Air+ by Airbus is a portfolio of services offered by Airbus through the support of the established MRO and supplier network. Air+ by Airbus is a comprehensive service that enables Airbus customers to select the services they need, providing them with a solution tailored to meet their specific requirements.

Skybus, the next generation of low-fare airlines, plans to begin non-stop service to major U.S. markets from its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio in the spring of 2007, using Airbus A319 aircraft.

Airbus is an EADS company.

More...