Boeing System Improves Spare Parts Availability

Boeing has welcomed Caribbean Airlines, Ltd., into the Boeing 737 Component Services Program (CSP), a materials management and supply-chain solution designed to help airlines reduce costs, enhance efficiency and improve spare parts availability.

Under the new agreement, Boeing will manage spare parts and components inventory for the Trinidad and Tobago-based airline until the parts are needed. Boeing guarantees that Caribbean will have working replacements for failed parts within 24 hours without having to stock up on spares or pay long-term holding costs.

The Component Services Program can help airlines save as much as 30 percent on inventory, repair and administrative costs.

"Caribbean Airlines values its collaboration with Boeing that includes the Maintenance Performance Toolbox, the Class 2 Electronic Flight Bag from Boeing's Jeppesen subsidiary, assistance with Business Process Re-engineering for our Maintenance & Engineering Department, and now the 737 CSP," said Capt. Ian Brunton, executive vice president Operations, Caribbean Airlines. "We also are proud to be included in the membership of the Steering Committee of the industry-wide Boeing Fleet Team for the Next-Generation 737."

Since it began in January 2007, Caribbean Airlines has grown to a fleet of seven Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s.

"Caribbean Airlines is taking a big step towards greater fleet efficiency and will be able to offer a better product by focusing on the passenger instead of spares provisioning," said Dan da Silva, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. "The 737 Component Services Program is a great example of Boeing's commitment to provide Lifecycle Solutions that support our customers' business goals."

The Component Services Program, which Boeing offers in partnership with KLM Engineering and Maintenance, helps reduce both up-front parts provisioning and long-term inventory holding costs and guarantees service as good as or better than when the airline managed the spare parts itself.

FMI: www.boeing.com