BAA Training, a Lithuanian ATO and member of the Avia Solutions Group, is implementing its European expansion plans with the establishment of Avia Repair Co, an MRO based at Lleida-Alguaire International airport in Spain. Following certification, it will start by providing MRO services to BAA Training itself and then service other corporate clients in the future.

This type of service will be third in the mix of services BAA Training already provides in Spain. The academy has a long record of carrying out flight training in its two bases at Lleida-Alguaire International and Castellón airport under the scope of its Ab Initio school. It has also recently opened a simulator training centre in Barcelona.

BAA Training COO Evgenij Grachiov says: “We have realised the necessity of creating such an organisation for a while now. Having a dedicated local MRO that entirely concentrates on quality maintenance activities ensures the safety and airworthiness of the academy's fleet at its Spanish bases. Once Avia Repair Co gains momentum, it will also offer its MRO services to external customers.”

Avia Repair Co has started looking for qualified engineers and mechanics to join the company and plans to recruit at least 10 employees in 2021.

Goncalo Antonio Nunes Penedo, appointed director at Avia Repair Co, comments: “Avia Repair Co will apply the know-how of European quality standards in MRO and aim to ensure adequate turnaround times. To make it possible, the company will recruit profoundly detail-oriented maintenance experts with related experience to work in its fully-equipped hangar located at Lleida-Alguaire International airport.”

BAA Training conducts all-year-round flight training with a fleet of 22 aircraft comprising 11 single-engine Tecnam P2002s, two multi-engine Tecnam P2006Ts and nine single-engine Cessna 172s. All of these aircraft, which are distributed over the two flight bases in Spain, will be inspected and maintained in Avia Repair Co's hangar.

The Tecnam P2002s and Cessna 172s are used for VFR and IFR training while the Tecnam P2006Ts are used for MEP training.

At the moment, these aircraft are meeting the flight training needs of Turkish Airlines student pilots and independent ATPL students. Moreover, BAA Training has an open admission to LOT and SmartLynx cadet programmes.

Avia Repair Co is already the 12th MRO to become a part of the Avia Solutions Group. By establishing an MRO, BAA Training is getting involved in a known business field and has trusted sources within the group that guarantee knowledge sharing and spare part supply support.

The company will cover routine or pre-planned maintenance, usually scheduled depending on the number of hours flown since the last maintenance check, the number of cycles, or the aircraft's age. Moreover, it will also perform ad hoc maintenance activities.