Aviatic MRO has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on strategic cooperation with Israel Space Industries (IAI). IAI will provide the company with the licensing and know-how needed to carry out the conversion of B737NG passenger planes into cargo aircraft. Within a few years, then, there will be many planes “made in Lithuania” in the air. Meanwhile, Siauliai municipality is preparing the needed infrastructure at Siauliai International Airport and Aviatic MRO will begin construction of a hangar this April. The aircraft maintenance center plans to start operating in the summer of 2022. 

Amid growing demand for aircraft with cargo configurations, Aviatic MRO has decided to further strengthen the ties the company established last year with IAI.

In the words of Aviatic MRO Board Member Dmitrijus Čeliadinas: “We are pleased by IAI’s show of trust in the high-quality specialists and strategically convenient location of Siauliai International Airport and in the prospects of future growth that we at Aviatic MRO offer. This is a big achievement for Lithuania’s aviation sector and impressive acknowledgment of the effort we have put into this project. Our hope is that this partnership will continue to grow stronger in coming years.”

Aviatic MRO will become a licensed partner of IAI and, together with the Israel-based company, will provide the service of converting B737NG airplanes from passenger to cargo configuration.

IAI EVP and General Manager of Aviation group added: “The new center will create a professional and commercial anchor for aircraft maintenance in Lithuania. Signing the collaboration MOU with Aviatic MRO at a time the aviation market is experiencing COVID-19 caused turbulence, testifies to our aviation expertise and the strong confidence our worldwide partners have in us.”

While Aviatic MRO had forecast starting operations this summer, the global pandemic modified their plans.

Dmitrijus Čeliadinas said: “Preparations to build the hangar have now restarted. The municipal government of Siauliai is getting the needed infrastructure ready. We are glad that everything is going according to plans and that work should finish this June. Aviatic MRO has already completed its preparatory work and will start the construction of the hangar in April. It should be ready to operate in June of 2022 and the first airplane for conversion should arrive later in the same year.”

Aviatic MRO is currently providing CAMO services and supply and asset management solutions to a variety of clients around the globe and offers line maintenance services at line stations in Vilnius, Kaunas and Siauliai. Additionally, Aviatic MRO holds EASA Part-145, EASA Part-M approvals and relevant validations by Bailiwick of Guernsey for B737CL, B737NG, A320-family and A330 aircraft types.