Virgin Blue has announced plans to build a widebody capable aircraft maintenance hangar and engineering base at Sydney Airport.
Planning on the new facility is well underway, according to Virgin Blue Group of Airlines CEO John Borghetti, with the hangar able to accommodate up to four narrow-body aircraft, or two narrow-body aircraft and one widebody aircraft.
“This new strategic asset will provide us with line and base maintenance capability for widebody and narrow-body aircraft at our largest and busiest airport, supporting our expanding fleet operations,” Borghetti said.
“Having a dedicated maintenance base here in Sydney, complementing those we already have in Brisbane and Melbourne, will create significant benefits to our business in terms of optimising scheduling and network operations and also generating potential revenue opportunities by offering use of the facility to partner airlines.”
The airline noted in a statement it “welcomes the support role provided by the NSW government in establishing the new engineering maintenance facility in Sydney”.
Some 15 to 20 VB group aircraft overnight in Sydney each night.
