Garuda Indonesia and GE collaborate on GMF AeroAsia engine shop capabilities

Garuda Indonesia and General Electric launched the CFM56-7B engine test cell for the Garuda Maintenance Facility (GMF AeroAsia) . The new engine test cell is a strategic step that will help Garuda Indonesia enhance GMF AeroAsia’s engine shop capabilities, in line with international safety and maintenance standards.

This collaboration with GE is part of Garuda Indonesia’s transformation program, “Quantum Leap 2011 – 2015,” to strengthen the capability of its subsidiary, GMF AeroAsia, and support its vision to become a “Global Player”.

The new engine test cell facility, which tests aircraft engines to meet stringent parameters before they are installed on airplane wings, was jointly developed by GE and CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Snecma (Safran group). The engine test cell comprises of a larger chamber whereby the engines will be hanged and measured through various sensors that mimic various actual flying conditions. The development stage also involved GMF’s engineers, which provided opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer to GMF employees.

The launch of the CFM56-7B engine test cell today was witnessed by the Minister of Industry, M.S. Hidayat; GE’s Chairman and CEO, Jeffrey R. Immelt, who is on a visit to Indonesia; and Garuda Indonesia’s President & CEO, Emirsyah Satar. To mark the launch, the three leaders signed CFM56-7B Engine Test Cell inscription.

Garuda Indonesia President & CEO said, “Building the CFM56-7B engine test cell capability is an important milestone for Garuda Indonesia and GMF AeroAsia in our goal to have engine shop capabilities, and to become a maintenance and service center of excellence in ASEAN. With the new CFM56-7B engine test cell facility we can maintain and service our growing Boeing 737-800 fleet locally.

 “The launch of the GMF AeroAsia CFM56-7B Engine Test Cell today, is also a milestone for the long term cooperation between Garuda Indonesia and GE. GMF AeroAsia, a subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, will have “full overhaul capability” of the CFM56-7B in 2015, and will reach its full capacity of maintaining 150 engines per year to cater to market needs by 2016,” Satar added.

“We are pleased to continuously support Garuda Indonesia in this strategic step to become a world class airline by improving its service and maintenance capability,” said Jeffrey R.  Immelt, GE’s Chairman and CEO. “Our partnership with Garuda Indonesia extends beyond providing the latest aviation technology. Over the years we have also been supporting the airline to develop its human resources through GE-Garuda Indonesia Leadership Development Program as part of our commitment to grow together with our customers and advancing Indonesia’s aviation sector.”

President and CEO GMF AeroAsia, Richard BS said that as of today, 314 CFM56-7B engines have operated in Indonesia, while another 566 are used in Asia Pacific. The population of this engine continues to increase by an average of 13 per cent per year until 2020. “This figure clearly reflects the potential market to be tapped”, Richard said..

Garuda Indonesia and GE have collaborated on various leadership training programs for Garuda Indonesia employees through the GE-Garuda Indonesia Leadership Institute. This leadership program is part of Garuda Indonesia’s “Quantum Leap” program to enhance the airline’s competitiveness. Strengthening this partnership further, GE and Garuda Indonesia, yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the GE Indonesia Learning and Technology Center contributing to local human resource development and talent building.

Garuda Indonesia has ordered more than 400 GE and CFM aircraft engines , including the CFM56-7B, CFM56-5B, LEAP-1A, CF34-8C, and GE90-115 engines. Every 7 minutes, a plane takes off in Indonesia powered by a GE engine.

Source/Photo: Garuda Indonesia