What is Airfoils Advanced Solutions?
In 2016, we announced the setting up of the Airfoils Advanced Solutions site in the Hauts-de-France region, a joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and Air France Industries/KLM. The company’s business is repairing the high-pressure compressor blades of the airline’s plane engines. The factory, which began producing parts in late January, will be able to repair 200,000 engine parts a year when working at full capacity.
Why base an aeronautical company in Hauts-de-France?
The Hauts-de-France has a well-established and prestigious aeronautical sector, with companies such as STELIA Aerospace (Airbus), KLX aerospace solutions (Boeing), SKF, Rafaut, Dassault Aviation and Thales all based in the region. The aeronautical parts requiring repair come from Paris and Amsterdam so there are a number of advantages to being based in the Hauts-de-France:
- Ready availability of land (the site covers an area of 13,000 m²)
- Proximity to major European capitals (including Paris and Amsterdam)
- Plentiful and efficient transport infrastructure
What will be the social and economic impact of Airfoils Advanced Solutions on the Hauts-de-France?
The arrival of this joint aeronautical venture represents an investment of around 20 million euros. The site should lead to the creation of many new jobs in Hauts-de-France. “The priority is to recruit people who live in the area,” said the plant’s General Manager, Thomas Grosclaude. With around 50 employees at the outset, the plant should eventually employ somewhere between 200 and 250 people by 2022. Sources: La Voix du Nord, Airfoils Advanced Solutions