Paris, Amstelveen, 29 March 2018 - In late December 2017, AFI KLM E&M and Tunisair signed a new Time & Material engine support contract covering the CFM56-5A, CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines powering the Tunisair fleet's sixteen Airbus A320s, four A319s and seven Boeing 737s. The Tunisian flag carrier had launched a call for tenders in late 2016 aimed at selecting two MRO suppliers for each engine type. Following the consultation, AFI KLM E&M was the sole candidate to be selected to handle all three engine-types simultaneously.

On-wing support and shop visits: focus on the summer season schedule
In the framework of the contract, AFI KLM E&M again demonstrated its adaptability and ability to offer its customers tailored, rapid-turnaround solutions. For example, at the request of Tunisair, the MRO was able to deal with a one-off commission to return four CFM56-5A engines (to be used in support of the Tunisian carrier's summer season schedule) to serviceable condition.
A first engine has already been returned to service thanks to the intervention of an AFI KLM E&M technical team in Tunis. Two others are now undergoing repairs at the AFI KLM E&M shop in Paris, and the fourth is currently being transported to the facility.

A new chapter in Franco-Tunisian cooperation
A new chapter in the long history of trust-based relations between Tunisair and Air France, and in broader close cooperation between France and Tunisia, opens with this latest contract.

Senior Vice President Commercial AFI KLM E&M Fabrice Defrance said: "We are very happy with Tunisair's renewed trust. Being the sole MRO to work simultaneously on all three engine-types is striking recognition of our expertise and the competitive nature of our offerings. As we have demonstrated by the speed with which we are moving to overhaul the first four engines, we will strive to meet all Tunisair's needs and contribute to the development of its operations as its summer schedule gets into full swing, and also, I hope, in the much longer term."