Bird Group expands its presence in aircraft repair and overhaul services with Pacific Propeller Intl

Bangalore, 12 February 2009: Bird Air Services Pvt. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bird Group, today signed a comprehensive marketing agreement with Pacific Propeller Intl. (PPI), a global repair and overhaul services provider to several regional airline and military aircraft. The agreement was signed by Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group and Jeff Heikke, President PPI and Jim Roosevelt, Regional Director Asia Pacific of M/s Pacific Propeller at the Bangalore Air Show.

Under the agreement, PPI will provide its services and products through Bird Air Services Pvt. Ltd. within the Indian Subcontinent. It will also help facilitate MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) services for propeller based engines for aircraft in India at PPI prop shops. It is estimated that of the total airline expenditure, aircraft operators spend almost 13% on aircraft maintenance and servicing. According to a recent report by Ernst and Young on the Indian aviation sector, MRO spending in India is estimated to rise from USD 440 million in 2007 to US$1.2 billion in 2017, exhibiting an annual growth of 11.8%.

Commenting on the partnership, Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group said, “There has been a gap in India for MRO facilities and mostly airlines tend to send their aircraft either to the US, Europe or Gulf destinations for the regular maintenance. Our alliance with PPI will enable carriers in the Indian subcontinent to get superior maintenance services within India.”

Commenting on the alliance, Jeff Heikke, President PPI said, “We are delighted to partner with Bird Air Services for the Indian Subcontinent as we believe that this region is untapped and has great potential for MRO services for propeller overhaul and repair. With this partnership we will be able to reach our customers and provide them with a one-stop-shop with uncompromised quality assurance.”

About Bird Group

The Bird Group was founded in 1971 with the incorporation of Bird Travels. Today, with over 40 years of experience and more than 40 offices supported by over 3500 well trained staff and an impressive clientele of over 500 top corporates, Bird Group can claim to be one of the largest and most diversified entities within the industry in the Indian subcontinent. With businesses as diverse as pioneering back-office processing to being the representative for many of the world’s leading airlines; from managing the backbone of the technological framework for airline IT and distribution to managing crucial relationships of international service providers, Bird Group has ensured that a comprehensive portfolio of service offering has been created to add value to and extensive client base and new ad potential customers. And in recent months, Bird Group has taken bold steps to increasing the value offering while broadening business horizons with new ventures. Today Bird Group’s core business includes Travel Technology, Comprehensive Airline Representation & Management, Hospitality, Passenger Aviation Services & Ground Handling, Cargo Management, Education & Training, Business Consultancy & Luxury Retail. Together, the various companies within these verticals generate direct revenue in excess of USD 100 Million.

For more information, visit the Bird Group website www.bird.in

About PPI

Established in 1946, PPI is located in Kent, Washington. PPI's 64,000 square foot facility provides global repair and overhaul services to several regional airline aircraft, as well as many of the world's military operators of large propeller aircraft. Propeller driven transport aircraft throughout the globe are also served by PPI's respected engineers and technicians. In addition to providing customers meticulous repair and overhaul service, PPI provides customers propeller and propulsion training and around-the-clock technical support, ensuring fleet readiness and operations. PPI employs the most experienced propulsion professionals anywhere in the world. PPI customers rely and count on the decades of knowledge only experience provides. Always looking toward the future, PPI has continued to grow its level of products and services, expending resources toward discovering new and innovative means by which to serve the aviation and aerospace industry.

Press Contacts

Amita Tandan
Senior Consultant,
Text 100 Public Relations
Tel: +91-40612000
Email: amitat@text100.co.in