Prague Airport, a joint stock company, has started the process of seeking a strategic partner for its subsidiary of Czech Airlines Technics, a joint stock company (CSAT). The airport is working with EY Transaction Advisory, to increase the competitiveness of the CSAT company and ensure its attractiveness for customers.
“The process will start with reaching out to potential partners who are also active in the field of aviation repair and maintenance. Several rounds of negotiations will follow, narrowing down the number of potential partners and selecting the most suitable one. We plan to have the process, while closely cooperating with our sole shareholder, concluded in the first half of next year,” Jiří Pos, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, stated, adding: “Fostering the optimal form of partnership, the degree of future synergies with Prague Airport, and the plan of development activities will be an essential part of the evaluation of the offers received.”
Czech Airlines Technics was established on 1 August 2010 as a subsidiary of Czech Airlines. In April 2012, the company’s sole shareholder became Český Aeroholding, a.s. and since October 2018, as a result of a national merger by acquisition, its sole shareholder has been Prague Airport, a joint stock company. Czech Airlines Technics, the former technical department of the Czech national carrier, has almost a century-long history and experience with hangar maintenance of aircraft, especially with the maintenance of jet aircraft of various manufacturers and aircraft equipment. The company employs over 600 qualified technicians, engineers, and administrative staff and guarantees the high quality of the services provided and the work performed, with an emphasis on strict compliance with safety standards.
Czech Airlines Technics provides line and base maintenance, as well as maintenance of landing gear and components, alongside structural repairs. It also provides CAMO support and customs clearance assistance. Last year, CSAT performed 54 base maintenance inspections on Boeing 737, Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320 Family, Airbus A320neo, and ATR aircraft. At Václav Havel Prague Airport, it is the largest provider of line maintenance, alongside base maintenance, and workshop repair of components. Czech Airlines Technics is able to respond flexibly to the demanding customer requirements connected with procurement and sales of aircraft spare parts, consumables, etc.
As part of the Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) services, Czech Airlines Technics performs activities for aircraft operators vital to ensure the airworthiness of their aircraft. These primarily include the drafting of aircraft maintenance programmes and task cards to plan and follow-up aircraft maintenance, keeping records of maintenance performed and aircraft modifications carried out, the monitoring of aircraft engine statuses, the drafting of aircraft loading and weight balancing documentation and guidelines, and other activities. In the landing gear maintenance segment, Czech Airlines Technics specialises in landing gear overhauls of new generation Boeing 737 aircraft and performs repairs, modifications, and surface treatment to individual components. In 2022, the company successfully performed a number of landing gear maintenance projects, including overhauls, minor repairs, and inspections of landing gear and landing gear components.
Czech Airlines Technics offers its maintenance and parking services to its long-term customers as well as other customers comprising airlines and aircraft leasing companies. This service is primarily provided by the company at Václav Havel Airport Prague, the seat of its headquarters and the location of its hangar technical facilities. CSAT also offers the service directly to aircraft manufacturers. A package deal combining aircraft parking options with the provision of first-class comprehensive maintenance represents a significant competitive advantage. Regular technical checks, including landing-gear, various modifications, spare part replacements, and other related tasks can be done during the parking period.