Flybe recharges with Satair Group

Satair Group UK’s pre-eminent position as the world’s largest commercial aircraft battery servicing operation has been enhanced by the gaining of a major new five-year exclusive contract with leading UK regional airline Flybe.

Under this contract Satair Group will take over responsibility for the supply of aircraft battery servicing and associated battery supplies to the airline.

“There is a growing trend within the airline industry to focus on core operations and outsource non-essential operations”, said Jon Ravenhall, Managing Director Repair Operations Europe (UK). “ As a result of this contract Flybe will benefit from improved turnaround times, enhanced service levels, high quality standards and lower overall costs”, he added.

The work will be carried out at Satair Group UK’s battery facility at Heston, close to London Heathrow Airport, which already services thousands of aircraft batteries a year from a host of airlines and other customers. The Flybe contract will add a further 2,000 battery services a year to the operation.

This new Satair Group contract will support Flybe’s 76-strong mixed fleet of Dash 8 Q400 turboprops and Embraer E175/195 regional jetliners, along with other aircraft types operated by Flybe under wet lease arrangements across mainland Europe. There is also provision in the contract for Flybe to send Satair Group UK additional work from their third party customers.

The Heston facility celebrated its 25^th anniversary last year and currently services some 5000 aircraft batteries a year with a top quality reputation for quick lead times, quality, safety and the market confidence that comes from a strong heritage and pedigree.

Some 180 customers, ranging from international scheduled airlines, charter carriers, large low-cost airlines and regional airlines to European air forces, MRO companies, helicopter owners, business jets and private aircraft owners have their batteries serviced at Heston.