Singapore-based cabin interiors business Flying Colours has expanded its scope of refurbishment services at its Bombardier Seletar Airport facility.

Flying Colours has completed four full and three partial interior refurbishment projects on two Challenger and five Global aircraft types. This represents a significant step-change as the Singapore team has progressed from undertaking simple repairs of cabinetry and soft furnishing to using its extensive experience to realise partial and full cabin overhauls on Bombardier aircraft for Asian and Middle Eastern customers.

One of the latest projects followed the purchase of a pre-owned Bombardier Global XRS aircraft. As it began extensive maintenance in the Bombardier Seletar facility, Flying Colours worked in parallel to complete an upgrade of the 14-passenger cabin. Meeting the brief of the China-based customer who wanted to modernise the dated look, Flying Colours outfitted the interior with an elegant, neutral cream palette. The cabinetry was refinished, new satin rose gold plating was added to the metal work, a camel coloured carpet was fitted, and the divan and seats were recovered. The galley and aft lavatory countertops were replaced to complement the newly-fitted vanity wardrobe and cabinet.

“The increase in cabin overhauls really exemplifies the change in demand from the maturing Asia and Middle East markets as savvy owners and operators recognise the benefits of acquiring preowned aircraft,” says Paul Dunford, general manager of Flying Colours. “This has stimulated a need for high-level refurbishments and demand for complete customisation has increased.” Its 20-strong team now supports Bombardier and aircraft owners in Asia and the Middle East by mirroring its North American facilities in providing full refurbishment services while aircraft are in the hangars for maintenance.

“A few years ago, the Asian market preferred to buy new, but we are seeing more purchasers looking to buy pre-owned and style them in their own look. Our team is well-equipped to tackle minor repairs, through to full completion work scopes and has built a reputation for producing results equal to the mature markets in North America and Europe. We are now well known to the Asian and Middle East-based customers.”

The latest project is becoming the norm for the Flying Colors team. “There are more than 300 Bombardier business aircraft in the region and many are nearing their 96-and 120-month inspection intervals. We believe this is a great opportunity, as we can fully support an operator's interior refurbishment needs and deliver a customised, high quality aircraft, in parallel with the maintenance work. We anticipate a very busy year in 2019,” says Dunford.