MRO

In the November issue of AviTrader MRO360°, Pascal Parant, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer at Vallair, offered insights into the economics of C- and D- checks.

Speaking to David Dundas, Parant explains that the main cost drivers of these heavy checks are highly skilled labour and hangar fees, which MRO providers must charge in order to offset any zero-stress waiting periods on aircraft.

He also offers advice on keeping costs under control for operators. “Securing the right slot at the right time is essential,” he says. Much like airlines, MRO prices are higher during peak seasons, so operators who can schedule schedule heavy checks during traditionally quieter periods usually obtain better pricing”.

Additionally, Parant reveals “manpower is critical to success,” citing estimates which suggest 700,000 new maintenance technicians will be needed globally over the next 10-15 years. He highlights Vallair’s dedication to training the next generation of mechanics through its training platform, Aircraft Academy.

On the integration of AI, digital checks, and paperless documentation, Parant supplies succinct insight: “These technologies increase speed and improve efficiency. However, implementation costs are significant, and not all MROs can transition immediately.”

Lastly, Parant shares what he would introduce into the heavy maintenance check process. “I would create a full-airframe scanner capable of identifying corrosion, structural issues, and impact repairs months before the check, allowing optimal planning and provisioning. I would also deploy robotic support units to assist technicians.”

To read the full article, click here.

Article courtesy of AviTrader.

Châteauroux, France, 17th November 2025: Vallair, a leading aviation asset lifecycle support company, and AeroX, a specialist in advanced in-flight connectivity solutions, are proud to announce the signing of a strategic alliance enabling the fast and efficient installation of Starlink satellite communication systems across commercial aircraft fleets.  With Starlink, passengers will have access to high-speed internet anywhere in the world, even in areas without coverage.

Under this agreement, Vallair will allocate dedicated night-shift modification capacity at its state-of-the-art maintenance centre in Châteauroux (France), enabling the rapid installation and integration of Starlink antenna systems on both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft operated by AeroX’s customers in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This approach ensures airlines can upgrade connectivity offerings without disrupting scheduled operations.

Grégoire Lebigot, CEO & Founder of Vallair, commented, “We are honoured to contribute to this digital revolution in commercial aviation and to support the rapid deployment of this outstanding connectivity system for the benefit of AeroX’s customers. Beyond the installation programme, Vallair can also provide full base maintenance services, allowing operators to combine cabin connectivity upgrades with scheduled checks in our flagship hangar.”

Aaron Grigsby, Chief Executive of AeroX, stated, “We are extremely happy to provide our customers with a fast, reliable and centralised modification solution in an ultra-modern facility in the heart of Europe. Partnering with Vallair allows airlines to adopt Starlink connectivity with minimal downtime and maximum operational efficiency.

The alliance strengthens both companies’ commitment to enhancing the passenger experience (which includes streaming entertainment platforms, online gaming, and cloud-based work), and supporting the next generation of real-time operational data, crew communication, and EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) performance reliability.

Vallair’s Pascal Parant, Group Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, spoke to David Dundas about ensuring airworthiness of used serviceable material (USM) in the October/November issue of AviTrader MRO360°.

He explains: “Ultimately, certifying a USM part relies on rigorous traceability checks and processing by established, approved repair stations. For complex components such as engines, the process includes Maintenance Program Analysis (PMA), borescope inspections, and certification based on available trace documentation. In the case of a full engine teardown, each removed part is inspected, tested, repaired, or overhauled, and repair shops ensure that no items appears on any blacklist file. I recall a global alert issues after a Boeing 757 crash where engines had disappeared. A full list of serialised parts was circulated worldwide and any shop that came across one of those parts had to immediately remove it, quarantine it, and notify the FAA.”

He also offers insights into emerging blockchain systems, which could offer enhanced traceability of parts. “If such a system were to emerge, it would need to be universal, certified, and implemented on new aircraft programs, as retrofitting this type of traceability is almost impossible.”

To read the full article, click here.

Article courtesy of AviTrader.

In the Q3 edition of Aviation Maintenance Magazine, François Fermaut, Director of Operations – Châteauroux at Vallair, spoke to Mark Robins about composite repair.

Composite materials are being used increasingly in the aerospace industry thanks to their light weight and strong durability, meaning the ability to repair them expertly and efficiently is essential. Fermaut shares the three most common challenges when repairing composites and explains Vallair’s non-destructive testing (NDT) policy, which uses thermographic and ultrasonic inspection to clearly map damage.

To read the full article, click here.

Article courtesy of Aviation Maintenance.

In the September issue of Freighter Trends, Pascal Parant, Group Chief Commerical & Marketing Officer at Vallair, spoke about the growth of the component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector.

He considers that the main motivations behind this growth are higher fleet utilisation and aging aircraft. “Current engine option (CEO) are remaining in service longer, which results in less used serviceable material (USM).” What is more, parts from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their competition command high prices.

Parant also explores the role predictive maintenance and AI will have in the future of the industry. “At Vallair, we note that these tools have the ability to reduce unscheduled removals ad on-wing failures by up to 30% depending on the program and source. However, they will not extend component lifecycles; rather, they will optimise lifecycle management. Additionally, their effectiveness depends on data quality and volume – a solid historical baseline is essential to optimise AI. It is a powerful tool, but certainly not a universal remedy.”

To read the full article, click here.

Article courtesy of Freighter Trends.

Vallair’s Operations Director – Aerostructures, Francois Fermaut, spoke to Paul Seidenman and David Spanovich about nacelle designs for the September 2025 issue of InsideMRO.

Reducing complexity is paving the way for the next generation of nacelle designs, explains Fermaut. Thanks to the availability of new materials and moves to decrease the number of moving parts, nacelles of the future will be lighter and more durable. “Combined with streamlined designs, part count minimisation and simplified control systems, Vallair sees the industry is on track to continue reducing nacelle weight, enhancing fuel efficiency, lowering emissions and reducing the cost of production.”

To read the full article, click here.

Article courtesy of Aviation Week Network.

In the April issue of AviTrader MRO 360°, our Group Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, Pascal Parant, discusses the current trends and challenges in the MRO supply chain. An in-depth discussion into the disassembly process.

Parant comments, “Storing and maintaining an aircraft with the hope it will fly again comes with a cost. This can sometimes be offset by depreciation strategies beneficial to lessors or airlines. But if you’re sitting on full maintenance reserves, the calculation becomes straightforward: sell the aircraft, cash in quickly, and let the USM specialists like Vallair handle the asset.”

To read the full article, click here.

Article courtesy of AviTrader.