AMAC Aerospace acquired aircraft modifications specialist Kreative Engineering Services (KES) on the cusp of EBACE. The transaction—completed on Thursday—adds cabin design and modification capability to the group’s portfolio, as well as increased bandwidth for advanced engineering projects, EASA/FAA certification and compliance tasks, and product development and industrialization for furnishings and mechanical systems.
KES, founded in 2012 and is based at L’Isle-Jourdain in southwestern France, has extensive experience working on the design and modification of interiors for VIP and commercial aircraft.
Meanwhile, AMAC’s facility in Basel, Switzerland, is busy most of the time, but the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) specialist outdid itself recently when it had five VIP Boeing 747s on its hands simultaneously. The tasks conducted on the widebodies included a mix of 6A, A, B1, B2, C1, C3 and D checks; 12-, 24-, 36-, and 48-month checks; and the installation of a Starlink communications system.
The 747s were parked on AMAC’s 695,456-sq-ft apron outside a five hangar-complex, which offers 356,608 sq ft of covered space, as well as 72,161 sq ft of workshops. According to the company, this extensive real estate provides flexibility to work on multiple large aircraft at the same time, while also providing faster turnarounds on projects and quicker response times.
In addition, AMAC recently completed repairs to 53 cracks found during a maintenance check in the stringers of a Boeing 747-8i. The repairs were carefully coordinated with the manufacturer, and the company has already finalized a second stringer repair project kit for another 747-8i with the same problem.
While larger VIP aircraft tend to dominate its ramp and hangar space in Basel, AMAC also supports midsize and large-cabin business jets. The company has been increasingly in demand for maintenance and refurbishment work on various Bombardier types, supporting customers in Africa and India following aircraft transactions.
The scope of work includes pre-purchase inspections and installation of connectivity systems. According to AMAC, the volume of business aircraft transactions is set to grow by around 30% this year, prompting increased demand for pre-buy inspections. Thus, the group aims to provide flexibility for available slots.
More Satcom Installations
Over the past six months, AMAC’s engineers have rising numbers of satellite communications installations. Work has covered more than 50 Ka-/Ku-band systems and several projects involving low-earth orbit constellations. These tasks are generally completed during major aircraft maintenance checks.
Expansion work to the engineering building at EuroAirport in Basel has now been completed, having begun in September 2024. By this summer, all technical departments will have completed relocating into the new 44,132-sq-ft facility.
AMAC has also completed an upgrade to its design studio, which now has more space for a growing team of designers. The group led by Christelle Dietsch, the company’s interior design manager, includes a color, material and finish designer and a technical designer, as well as a junior aircraft interior designer and an interior design assistant.
The design team works closely with aircraft owners and operators to understand their needs and expectations for projects. These conversations help to formulate detailed design packages covering all aspects of the cabin interior work, including color schemes, finishes, and mood, alongside technical constraints and feasibility.
According to AMAC, it has completed maintenance work on more than 50 widebody aircraft, 120 narrowbodies, and 250 midsize business jets over the past 12 months. To keep up, the company has recruited more than 80 new technicians to work at its Basel facility.
Since joining the Airbus Corporate Jets service center network in December, AMAC’s team in Basel has been working on multiple aircraft during the first five months of this year. The partnership was announced in December at MEBAA, and the company said it now wants to expand the scope of its work for ACJ operators.
Turkish Operations also Busy
In Turkey, AMAC’s base at Bodrum has also been busy, with recent projects including the re-delivery of an Airbus A330, which was one of five of this type supported in conjunction with the group’s Basel facility. Over the past 12 months, the Turkish facility has completed work on more than 20 Boeing and Airbus narrowbodies, plus around 10 widebodies, with the Bodrum team completing 95% of maintenance checks on time.
AMAC’s facility in Istanbul supports business aircraft including the Dassault Falcon 2000, 900, and 7X, as well as Pilatus models. Over the past year, projects have included C checks on multiple Falcons. The Turkish team also provide AOG support for operators, with go-teams dispatched to locations including Italy, the Maldives, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia.
Support for cabin modification jobs conducted alongside maintenance is provided by AMAC’s JCB Aero subsidiary. In October, the Part 145-approved operations opened a new hangar at its headquarters in Auch, France, and is set to work on around 30 narrowbodies and VIP helicopters each year.
AMAC's portfolio of services also includes the ROAM digital records management platform provided by its London-based Gamit subsidiary. The technology is used by airlines, business aviation operators and MRO providers, including air ambulance group DRF Luftrettung, Air Tahiti Nui, Transavia France, and Singapore International Engineering Company. Last year, the company introduced its ROAM 2.0 software with new features, such as advanced signature and handwriting recognition, and support for helicopters.