Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and AAR CORP. has announced the completion of the formation of xCelle Asia, which included the receipt of regulatory approval. This previously announced joint venture, located in Chonburi, Thailand, will overhaul nacelles for new generation aircraft.

Building on the success of AAR and AFI KLM E&M’s existing joint venture in the Americas, xCelle Asia will provide unparalleled service and support for operators in the APAC region. Licensed by multiple OEMs, xCelle Asia can perform nacelle maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, including on-wing / on-site inspections, and rotable support for next generation aircraft, including GEnx, Trent 1000 and LEAP-1A engine types, at the start. Other new generation engine types will follow.

“The creation of xCelle Asia represents a major step forward in strengthening our global MRO network. By expanding our nacelle capabilities into the Asia-Pacific region, we are positioning ourselves to deliver world-class, next-generation support closer to our customers. This new venture reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence, and we are proud to bring our expertise to one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets.” said Benjamin Moreau, Senior Vice President Strategy and Business Development at AFI KLM E&M.

“This joint venture markedly expands our service offerings in the Asia-Pacific region and furthers our ability to deliver high quality, industry leading solutions to our customers,” said Jim Berberet, AAR’s Senior Vice President of Component Services. “We are looking forward to replicating our current success in the Americas by combining the experience of AAR’s highly regarded Component Services team in Thailand with AFI KLM E&M’s global network.”