Press release
Virgin Atlantic gets a boost from Prognos® for Aircraft
Paris, Amstelveen, 19th of October 2023
AFI KLM E&M’s predictive maintenance solution Prognos® brings major added value to Virgin Atlantic’s 787 fleet support package.
AFI KLM E&M and Virgin Atlantic Airways are writing a new chapter in their long history of cooperation: the two partners have signed an agreement overseeing the deployment of Prognos® for Aircraft solutions for the British airline’s 17-strong fleet of 787 aircraft. The move will see the airline benefit from AFI KLM E&M’s experience in the field of predictive maintenance, via its in-house innovative Prognos® solution, whose purpose is to optimize the value generated by maintenance programs in both operational and economic terms.
Using data to expect the unexpected
Prognos® for Aircraft is designed to add an extra element of foresight into the planning of component and equipment maintenance, using AI/Big Data technology to monitor aircraft parts and systems. In practical terms, the application can predict components and systems failures up to 50 flights before they occur, which allows repair or replacement operations to be planned ahead of time and helps avoid AOG situations (and their negative consequences for airline operations). The application of this solution supplements the Component Support services AFI KLM E&M has been providing to Virgin Atlantic since 2014, which are already designed to guarantee optimum aircraft availability and maximum coverage for the airline’s 787 fleet.
“Predictive maintenance is a paradigm shift for the industry and holds major potential for an operator like Virgin Atlantic. AFI KLM E&M has developed advance expertise in this field and an acclaimed tool in Prognos®, which already harnesses valuable amounts of data from the 787 fleets operated by Air France-KLM and its other customers. Virgin Atlantic will now be able to rely on this programme to further enhance the reliability of our operation for our customers, whilst also generating efficiencies we can benefit from.”
Neil Ambidge
VP Engineering & Maintenance at Virgin Atlantic Airways
“We’re honored and delighted that Virgin Atlantic is pursuing its long-standing shared history with AFI KLM E&M. Our innovative Prognos® program is being taken up by more and more of our airline customers, with each one enhancing the tool’s effectiveness by enriching the data sets available. The tool is becoming a natural addition to standard support solutions, in order to maximize the value generated by maintenance operations.”
Derk Nieuwenhuijze
VP Digital, Marketing & Communication at AFI KLM E&M
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2022, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the sixth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs more than 7,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 31 destinations across four continents throughout the year. Virgin Atlantic recently continued its expansion in the US, launching new routes to Austin, Texas and Tampa, Florida. Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport. Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies and has reduced its absolute carbon emissions by 35% over the last decade. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed the first of 16 A330-900neos to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2027. Later in 2023, Virgin Atlantic is leading an industry consortium to deliver the first 100% SAF flight across the transatlantic. Demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is an industry imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialisation ahead of 2030.
About AFI KLM E&M
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance is a major multi-product MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) provider. With a workforce of over 12,800, AFI KLM E&M offers comprehensive technical support for airlines, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul, aero structure and fan thrust reverser support, as well as the management, repair and supply of aircraft components, structured around a powerful logistics network. AFI KLM E&M supports almost 3,000 aircraft operated by 200 major international and domestic airlines.
