Airbus further enhances its blade capabilities in the Pacific region with the opening of a new blade shop at its Blenheim facility in New Zealand.

The new facility will reside under the same roof as its existing 3,500 square metre maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for military and civil engines, propellers and components.

The new blade shop will see Airbus customers in the region enjoying enhanced efficiencies with improved turnaround time, high quality and an all-encompassing MRO solution.

The blade shop commenced operations on 30 September this year.

Airbus Australia Pacific Managing Director Andrew Mathewson said the company was pleased to bring the new capability to Blenheim and to its operators in the region.

“Our technicians have gone through extensive training at various Airbus facilities to enable us to provide the best possible end-to-end support to our customers in this fast-growing region.”

“This newly opened shop fully reflects Airbus’ unwavering commitment to the New Zealand aerospace industry, and in particular to support the New Zealand Defence Force. We are confident that our in-country team will ensure the fleet’s high availability for all missions,” he added.

The expansion of the facility at Blenheim further extends Airbus presence in New Zealand. The country is an important market for Airbus Helicopters, with more than 250 helicopters deployed for military applications, aeromedical, search-and-rescue, utility and business aviation purposes.

The company’s MRO operations in the country are part of a regional services business in the Pacific that also includes offices in Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney providing support for a wide range of helicopters and military fixed wing aircraft.