ABS Jets and the Czech Technical University in Prague are imple-menting a training programme on the principles of 'lean maintenance'. The programme, based on the Japanese Kaizen philosophy, aims to make positive culture changes on a regular basis to improve working methods and production processes.

“The concept of Kaizen is one of restructuring and organising every aspect of a system to ensure it remains at peak efficiency,” explains Thierry Barré, ABS Jets technical director. “The literal translation of the Japanese term Kaizen is to 'become good through change'. The process of lean activities at ABS Jets will benefit our customers.”

Over three days, trainees in the technical department received introductory training to provide them with the basics for starting the implementation process of lean activities. The training sessions were followed by a Kaizen week in cooperation with Embraer.

Participants had to adjust to Japanese words, some of which describe things they had never heard of before. Some who were familiar with the philosophy were pleased that ABS Jets offers the opportunity to let its employees put changes in place that lead to improvement.

ABS Jets is based at Prague, Czech Republic, and Bratislava, Slovakia, and plays a significant role on the central and eastern European business aviation market. Along with its charter operations it provides brokerage, management, aircraft sales, maintenance, travel management, executive handling, and flight planning.