Ireland-based aviation services company ASL Aviation Holdings (ASL) has announced that it had taken full ownership of Belgium-based aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company X-Air Services (X-Air). Among its range of subsidiary companies based in Europe, Africa and Asia, ASL was the primary financier and held a minority shareholding in South African aviation company Safair Holdings, and through this, a minority stake in South African low-cost airline FlySafair.

ASL had owned 50% of X-Air, the latter being a joint venture between the former and French independent MRO company Sabena technics. However, the two partner groups had agreed that ASL would acquire Sabena Technics’ half-share in X-Air. The financial aspects of the deal were not being disclosed.

“We have enjoyed an excellent working partnership [with Sabena technics] and this acquisition facilitates the business strategies of both ASL and Sabena technics in the coming years,” reported ASL chief operating officer Colin Grant. “This acquisition secures the maintenance expertise that ASL Airlines Belgium and our other airlines will need for our fleet of B[oeing]737-400 Classic freighter aircraft. It will also deliver in-house maintenance capabilities for our growing fleet of B[oeing]737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters [BCFs]. These are critical factors for ASL as we continue to develop our fleet around our customers' growth and network requirements.”

X-Air operated facilities in the Belgian cities of Brussels and Liège. Its largest customer was in fact ASL Airlines Belgium. It also served other airlines in the ASL group, with light and heavy maintenance checks on Boeing 737-400 Classic and Boeing 737-800BCF aircraft. It further provided some maintenance support for the Boeing 747-400F freighter aircraft operated by ASL Airlines Belgium.

“This will be a seamless transition and it will be very much business as usual in X-Air,” he assured. “Our goal is to develop and grow the business and drive it forward in line with ASL’s global maintenance strategy.”

“Since the creation of X-Air Services in 2009, Sabena technics has brought its MRO expertise to support and develop skills and know-how at [the] sites in Liège and Brussels,” highlighted Sabena technics chief operating officer Philippe Delisle. “These maintenance centres have become a reference in terms of operational excellence for the benefit of ASL’s B[oeing]737 Classic and [Next Generation] freighter fleet. We are confident and delighted that this transfer will allow the continuous growth of the company within [the] ASL group.”