Fokker Services Group Expands Component Support for Air Nostrum CRJ Fleet

This article is based on an official press release from Fokker Services Group.

Fokker Services Group (FSG) and Air Nostrum Engineering and Maintenance (ANEM) have officially renewed and expanded their component support partnership. According to a company press release, the Valencia, Spain-based maintenance arm of Airlines Air Nostrum signed a new long-term power-by-the-hour (PBH) agreement to cover its expanding fleet of 30 Mitsubishi CRJ NG aircraft.

This development builds upon a pre-existing support framework between the two aviation entities. We note that the expanded scope aims to enhance operational performance and long-term planning stability for the Spanish regional carrier’s CRJ operations.

Details of the ABACUS Program Agreement

The nose-to-tail, full-service agreement will be executed through FSG’s established ABACUS Program. As outlined in the official release, the program is specifically tailored to meet Air Nostrum’s rigorous operational demands.

The ABACUS framework integrates several critical maintenance and supply chain functions. These include component maintenance services, inventory support and leasing, and guaranteed parts availability. Furthermore, the program provides 24/7 operational support designed to bolster fleet reliability while ensuring predictable, flight-hour-based cost controls for the airline’s daily operations.

Leadership Perspectives and Operational Impact

Both organizations emphasized the strategic value of the renewed Contracts. The agreement is expected to secure continued service reliability and sustainable value for Air Nostrum’s regional network.

“The nature of our business mandates efficiency, flexibility and reliability. Therefore we see great value in the FSG’s ABACUS program and know that their support will help us to provide the highest level of dispatch reliability to serve our customers,” stated Fermin Tirado, Managing Director of ANEM, in the press release.

Dirk Hanenberg, Managing Director of Fokker Services Group, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative nature of the relationship.

“With decades of experience in regional aircraft support, we understand the importance of ensuring component availability at the right time, place and configuration, while continuously enhancing reliability and cost control,” Hanenberg noted in the official announcement.

Air Nostrum and Fokker Services Group Background

Air Nostrum operates as the leading regional aviation company in Spain, flying under the Iberia Regional Air Nostrum brand for the Iberia Group. The airline connects 59 destinations across nine countries in Europe and North Africa. According to the provided company data, Air Nostrum operates a total modern fleet of 45 next-generation aircraft, employs 1,600 professionals, and has transported over 115 million passengers throughout its 32-year history.

Fokker Services Group operates as an independent aerospace service provider with a global footprint, maintaining facilities in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The company specializes in modifications, engineering, component and material services, and airframe maintenance for commercial, VIP, cargo, and defense markets.

AirPro News analysis

Power-by-the-hour (PBH) agreements like the ABACUS program remain a cornerstone strategy for regional airlines seeking to mitigate Supply-Chain volatility. By shifting the burden of inventory management and component repair to specialized third-party providers like Fokker Services Group, carriers such as Air Nostrum can lock in predictable maintenance costs. This predictability is crucial for regional operators operating on tight margins, as it directly correlates flight hours to maintenance expenditures while safeguarding dispatch reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a power-by-the-hour (PBH) agreement?

A power-by-the-hour agreement is a MRO contract where an airline pays a fixed rate per flight hour to a service provider. In exchange, the provider covers component maintenance, repair, and inventory support, ensuring cost predictability.

How many aircraft are covered under this specific agreement?

The renewed agreement covers Air Nostrum’s current fleet of 30 Mitsubishi CRJ NG Commercial-Aircraft.

What is the ABACUS Program?

The ABACUS Program is Fokker Services Group’s comprehensive component support solution, which combines maintenance services, inventory leasing, guaranteed availability, and round-the-clock operational support.

Sources: Fokker Services Group