MoD St Athan

[mathers_wales_uk]

As MoD St Athan is finally experiencing some good fortune I thought now is the time to start a thread. MoD St Athan in recent years has lost thousands of jobs due to the withdrawal of maintenance of RAF aircraft.

In February 2012 the last military aircraft to be serviced at MoD St Athan which was a VC10 looked like doom and gloom for the airfield.

January 2012 it was announced that Hunter Flying Ltd was to take a 10 year lease on two hangars.

Hunter Flying Ltd currently oversees the maintenance and operation of the largest private aircraft collection of it's kind in the world.

April 2012 It was announced that eCube Solutions PPL that aims to become a European market leader in providing end-of-life solutions for aircraft. eCube solutions has also signed a 10 year lease on a hanger.

May 2012 It was announced today that Cardiff Aviation a Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) company set up by Bruce Dickinson is to create at least 1,000 jobs at MoD St Athan based at the Twin Peaks Hangar.

The company will provide maintenance services for aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767 along with training facilities.

Article on all of the above can be found walesairforum.wordpress.com

 

[TheLocalYokel]

That's excellent news for South Wales.

How will the 1,000 jobs compare with the number at the site that have been lost in recent years?

It seems that South Wales has stolen a march on the Bristol area because Bae Systems the owner of Filton reckoned they couldn't make the runway pay and so is to close it at the end of the year.

Filton once had a sizeable MRO business but it has been run down in recent years although there will still be a huge aviation and aerospace presence at the site and on nearby sites.

Today's news shows that there is big business around if the desire is there to look for it.

This major initiative could prove the anchor to attract more companies to St Athan with Hunter and eCube already there.

Wales is in need of jobs especially private sector ones so it's doubly welcome.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]RAF St Athan to be turned into civilian airfield by 2019 under Welsh Government plans

The Welsh Government plans to turn RAF St Athan into a civilian airfield – but already stands accused by a Tory MP of messing the project up.

The RAF is due to hand over operational control of the airfield to private contractors Serco in December, when it will operate seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.

But Conservative MP David Davies says a letter he has received from a UK Government Minister suggests all is not well at St Athan, which forms part of the St Athan-Cardiff Airport Enterprise Zone.[/textarea]

Full article at http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... an-7968350

With all the talk of airports closing it's refreshing to see one opening in the sense that it's changing its military colours to civilian. I don't think it's intended to rival CWL which is just along the road. For starters the runway is only just over 1800 metres in length.

It seems it will be used primarily in connection with the MRO businesses already there and possibly for bizjets and private charters.

There's already political infighting though (it wouldn't be Wales without it) with one member of the opposition suggesting that an ILS system already bought by the Welsh Government for the site cannot be used for five years because some houses and other building will have to be demolished to make it functional.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It seems as if this outfit are doing very well at the moment. The article states there will be a 734 as the first aircraft to join with at least two more aircraft later in the year. They are also to establish a national carrier for Air Djibouti.

Best of luck to them :good:

CARDIFF AVIATION LAUNCHES NEW EASA-COMPLIANT AIRLINE

Cardiff Aviation has announced on the first day of the Paris Air Show, June 15, that it is launching a brand new ACMI airline. The move is the next stage of a phenomenal expansion for the South Wales-based MRO and training business.

The new airline, operating under the VVB brand, is in the process of acquiring an EASA operating licence. The first aircraft to join the airline will be a 737-400 which will go straight into ACMI operations.

Cardiff Aviation is also providing pilots and cabin crew to support the aircraft, with MRO work to be carried out at the company’s military-grade facilities at St. Athan in South Wales.

At least two additional aircraft are expected before the end of Q3 2015 driving further crew and aircraft acquisition.

Full article: http://www.aviator.aero/press_releases/ ... um=twitter

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

After a long time without any aircraft maintenance except for the Boeing 767-200 that is due for service for Air Djibouti. Cardiff Aviation today received a ex Jet2 Boeing 737-300 G-CELK.

G-CELK was WFU from the Jet2 fleet on the 17th October 2017 and has had it's titles removed.

The ACMI airline seems to be non existent at the moment too and since Christmas staff have had their wages delayed twice according to media reports.

 

[Jerry]

After a long time without any aircraft maintenance except for the Boeing 767-200 that is due for service for Air Djibouti. Cardiff Aviation today received a ex Jet2 Boeing 737-300 G-CELK.

G-CELK was WFU from the Jet2 fleet on the 17th October 2017 and has had it's titles removed.

The ACMI airline seems to be non existent at the moment too and since Christmas staff have had their wages delayed twice according to media reports.

I heard they were still waiting for engines for the 767? Any idea what will happen with the 737 after they've finished with it? Is it potentially there to get the ACMI airline back up and running?

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

I now hear it is to be scrapped.