Safran and Satair Sign Lifetime Contract for A340-500/-600 Engine Nacelle Supply Chain Services

July 2, 2017

William Kucinski

Satair Group and Safran Nacelles contract signing Paris Air Show 2017. Satair Group, an Airbus subsidiary, already encompasses Airbus Material & Supply Chain Services.

Satair Group has signed its first major contract with Safran Nacelles, covering global lifetime supply chain services for engine nacelle parts and components used on Airbus A340-500/600 jetliners.

A Lufthansa A340-600; Lufthansa operates the largest number of A340-600 aircraft, which are based out Munich Airport.

Under the terms of the agreement, Satair Group has assumed responsibility over Safran Nacelles’ entire supply chain for the A340 engine nacelle elements, carrying out support duties through the lifetimes of the four-engine aircraft. Satair Group, an Aibus subsidiary, already encompasses Airbus Material & Supply Chain Services.

There are currently 90 A340-500/600s in operation, and Satair estimates the aircraft type will remain in service beyond 2030. The A340-500 and -600 nacelles house Rolls-Royce Trent 553 and 556 turbofan engines, respectively.

A physical transfer of Safran Nacelles’ A340 nacelle parts inventory has been made from the company’s Paris support center to Satair Group’s Copenhagen facility. Safran Nacelles will continue a direct working relationship with its A340 customers for overall customer support, nacelle maintenance and repair (MRO) services, and engineering support.

“This agreement with Satair Group, on the entire supply chain for this legacy nacelle program, enables us to focus on our mission as a nacelle designer and integrator for current and future programs, while also maintaining our MRO and technical support provided to A340 operators,” explained Safran Nacelles CEO Jean Paul Alary. “With Satair Group, we have found a partner that brings its logistic expertise to manage efficiently the supply chain.”

Bart Reijnen, CEO of Satair Group commented, “Customers will benefit from the ability to pool more parts through our efficient supply chain and global distribution.”

The A340-500/600 nacelle was the first such system completely designed and supplied by Safran Nacelles, elevating it from a component manufacturer to a nacelle integrator.