Tallinn-based Magnetic MRO completed its 900th C-check on April 17.
The six-year base maintenance check on an Airbus A320neo was performed on behalf of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), a long-term customer of Magnetic MRO. SAS began its relationship with the company in 2003 and the 800th C-check was also performed on one of its aircraft. Commenting on the latest milestone, Sergei Shkolnik, base maintenance director at Magnetic MRO, said: “This 900th check is another significant accomplishment for Magnetic MRO’s base maintenance. The project signifies the increase in pace: it has taken 11 years to reach the first 300 checks, six years to go from 300 to 600 checks, and four-and-a-half years to complete 900. Another noteworthy nuance of this 900th check is that it is performed on new generation A320neo aircraft, which form the backbone of the European aviation single-aisle commercial fleet for the coming future.” (Photo Magnetic MRO)
StandardAero to support Air Central engines
StandardAero has signed a contract with China Central Longhao Airlines, a specialist cargo airline which trades as Air Central.
Under the agreement, the MRO will support the carrier’s CFM International CFM56-7B engines fitted to its fleet of Boeing 737800BCF freighters. The first engine was inducted into the firm’s shop in Winnipeg, Canada, for a performance restoration shop visit in March 2025.
Commenting on the announcement, Yi Yunyuan, China Central Longhao Airlines’ chief engineer, said: “We are very pleased to have reached a co-operation with StandardAero, becoming the first Chinese customer to introduce CFM56-7B engine maintenance services. StandardAero’s professional expertise and global service network will provide us with strong support, helping us further enhance the operational efficiency and safety of our fleet. We believe that this collaboration will lay a solid foundation for the future development of China Central Longhao.”
The carrier is based in Zhenghou, in Henan province, and operates a mixed fleet of Boeing 737, 747 and COMAC C909 freighters.
Will Pitcher, senior vice president of sales, marketing and customers for StandardAero, added: “We are honoured to have been selected to provide Air Central with CFM567B MRO services in support of its domestic and international cargo operations. China accounts for over 20% of the global installed CFM567B fleet, with over 2,600 engines in service, and StandardAero is proud to support the country’s Boeing 737NG operators – including Air Central – with responsive, cost-effective CAAC-approved engine MRO solutions.” In other news, StandardAero celebrated the completion of major maintenance on its 1,500th Honeywell HTF7000 turbofan which powers private jets including the Bombardier Challenger series, Cessna Citation Longitude, and Gulfstream G280.
The company became an authorised maintenance channel provider for the HTF7000 powerplant in 2008 and in 2016 its support of the platform led to the authorisation of its expanded heavy maintenance centre at Augusta Regional Airport, Georgia.
Tony Brancato, president of the Business Aviation division of StandardAero Engine Services, said: “This milestone echoes the continued trust operators have in StandardAero for their HTF7000 engine support. We’ve been channel partners with Honeywell for over half a century starting with the TFE731 engine, and our commitment to serving the HTF7000 customer base with expert, quality support is no different.”