MANILA, With the pressing demand for more efficient and localised aircraft maintenance services, Cebu Pacific, a low-cost carrier in the Philippines, is inviting discussions to establish a local aircraft component maintenance business within Asia's rapidly expanding aviation sector. Cebu Pacific Engineering and Fleet Management vice-president Shevantha Weerasekera said many essential aircraft components, including life jackets, fire extinguishers, and galley equipment, are currently sent abroad for servicing, often to facilities in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States. 'This reliance on international maintenance not only increases logistical costs but also extends turnaround times, creating inefficiencies that could be mitigated through local operations,' he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama in conjunction with the 2024 Aviation Summit Philippines today. Weerasekera emphasised Cebu Pacific's strong confidence in the potential unlocked through establishing a component maintenance facility i n the Philippines, particularly given the global growth of narrowbody aircraft. 'With a fleet requiring daily replacement of 30-40 components, local servicing would streamline operations and enhance sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint associated with shipping components internationally,' he said. He also noted that the component maintenance sector remains largely untapped in the Philippines. 'It is not difficult to bring this expertise and knowledge back into the Philippines, or at least to bring it into the region," he said. According to Weerasekera, key categories of components that are particularly suited for local maintenance include cabin components like life jackets and fire extinguishers; galley and lavatory equipment; as well as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. 'Those systems require a little bit more training and specialised equipment, but it is possible to do,' he said. Weerasekera suggested that such a facility could be established through a Philippine-based organisation, whether via a joint venture or by allowing a foreign organisation to set up operations in the country. Currently, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services in the Philippines are provided through partnerships with companies such as Lufthansa Technik Philippines, SIA Engineering Philippines, Aviation Partnership Philippines, and Dornier Technology Inc. Cebu Pacific operates 17 active line maintenance stations across the Philippines, serving around 22 customers. Source: BERNAMA News Agency