Gamco wins RAF contract

The Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Co (Gamco) yesterday announced it was awarded a contract by the UK's Ministry of Defence for maintenance of the Royal Air Force (RAF) fleet of Lockheed TriStar L-1011 aircraft.

The contract is for five years starting August 2002 to carry out scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on the RAF fleet, won after strong competition from major British and international companies. The value of the contract was not disclosed.

"Although a competitive pricing policy was an important requirement, a major contributing factor was Gamco's extensive technical expertise in carrying out similar aircraft maintenance," said Dr. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Gamco's chairman.

"Gamco was able to satisfy a range of core elements considered necessary within the Ministry of Defence's tender compliance matric. In an effort to minimise down time of the RAF's fleet of strategic air-to-air refuelling tanker, freighter and passenger aircraft, a very tight schedule had been stipulated by the ministry.

"Therefore, our ability to deliver aircraft within the stipulated timeframe was also a major factor."

Sheikh Ahmed expressed confidence that Gamco would maintain a satisfactory record for all of the ministry's requirements as demonstrated in delivering the RAF Tristar aircraft on time and to a very high standard under the current scheduled and unscheduled maintenance contract.

Although the RAF's fleet is based in Oxfordshire, all scheduled maintenance work will be carried out at Gamco's facility in Abu Dhabi. Gamco is also responsible for all unscheduled maintenance work on the RAF L1011 covering the world.

"Winning this major British contract is a significant achievement for the Abu Dhabi-based company. When the current climate within the industry is one of uncertainty and incredibly competitive negotiations, it is reassuring to know that Gamco can maintain its competitive edge."

To cope with new business from Asia, Europe and North America, Gamco has embarked on an aggressive building expansion programme.

Under construction are a new narrow-body aircraft hangar, industrial engine facility and aircraft engineering training centre. Work has also started on an Airbus A380 superjumbo aircraft size hangar.