ATLANTA, April 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines and Mesa Air Group have reached agreement on a 12-year deal to support Mesa's CF34 engine program. The deal is valued at approximately $300 million over the course of the agreement.
As a result of this agreement, Delta's Technical Operations division -- TechOps -- will manage the entire Mesa engine fleet and will provide on-site program management with representatives based in Phoenix, where Mesa is headquartered.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Mesa on such an exciting and substantial agreement," said Tony Charaf, senior vice president for Delta TechOps. "This deal represents a long-term commitment which Mesa clearly shows their faith in the people, customer service and top-notch quality Delta TechOps has earned a reputation for delivering."
Added Mesa Air Group Chairman and CEO Jonathan Ornstein: "We are truly delighted to conclude this important long term engine MRO contract with our partner Delta Air Lines. Delta has consistently treated Mesa as a true partner and we are very appreciative of the relationship that has developed between our companies. We view this contract as an extension of our strong partnership."
"Mesa selected Delta TechOps based on their proven record of customer support, industry leading quality and their unique ability to anticipate the needs of an airline," said Gary Appling, Mesa's director of MRO Services. "In addition to quality engine maintenance, the Delta TechOps team will provide complete management of the CF34 fleet, including on-wing planning, engineering, ECTM, reliability and engine shop planning. This is truly a total support program."
The Mesa partnership will complement Delta TechOps' growing list of engine capabilities, which also include CFM56-3, CFM56-7, PW2000, PW4000, CF6-80A/A2, CF6-80C2 and JT8D-219.
"The people of Delta TechOps have worked hard to turn TechOps from a cost center into a business," Charaf said. "They are directly responsible for creating the largest airline MRO in North America and for continuing to deliver a premium product to our customers."
Delta TechOps is the largest airline MRO in North America, earning more than $312 million in revenue in 2006. In addition to providing maintenance and engineering support for Delta's fleet of 440 aircraft, Delta TechOps serves more than 100 aviation and airline customers from around the world, specializing in high-skill work like engines, components, hangar and line maintenance. Delta TechOps employs more than 6,500 maintenance professionals and is one of the most experienced MRO providers in the world with more than seven decades of aviation expertise.
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