This story is part of AIN's continuing coverage of the impact of the coronavirus on aviation.
ACI Jet has developed a program to help facilitate a return-to-service for Bombardier Globals and Challengers, as well as Cessna Citations, that have sat on the ground for an extended period during the Covid-19 crisis and will require de-preservation. The mobile return-to-service program, which ACI Jets dubs mRTS, includes 10 percent reduced labor rates for inspections and maintenance required to return aircraft to service. Additionally, travel discounts will be considered for customers scheduled within 250 miles of ACI Jet’s headquarters in San Luis Obispo, California, encompassing both the Bay Area and greater Los Angeles area.
The company expects to offer the program through June but said that might be extended, based on the duration of travel restrictions. Enrollment does not necessarily mean the customer is committed to receiving service, ACI Jet added, but said mRTS was structured with the anticipation that once travel restrictions lift, demand will surge for return-to-service support.
Enrollments will help the company’s AOG division to better plan and schedule services where the aircraft are based, it added. “Knowing who needs what services, and when, and having the ability to coordinate not only our AOG team’s schedule, but to coordinate our clients’ schedules collectively, will help everyone get through what is anticipated to be a very busy time period,” said Chris Seabrook, the service provider's AOG and mobile maintenance manager.
