AAR Expands PBH Footprint in Europe

Volotea signs with global supply chain leader to provide nose-to-tail support for its A319 fleet

WOOD DALE, Illinois – AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation aftermarket services to the world’s airlines, announces the expansion of its power-by-the-hour (PBH) component inventory management and repair program in Europe. AAR signed a long-term contract with Volotea to support its new fleet of A319s.

AAR will manage the aircraft supply chain through its global warehouse network with a primary parts pool in Brussels, as well as a home-base kit with the customer. The agreement includes management of the complete component repair cycle. Volotea will also have access to the entire AAR pool of inventory through exchanges and procurement. The full PBH program will grow to a fleet of more than 50 A319 aircraft.

Volotea serves 70-plus cities and is focused on connecting small and midsize European cities with non-stop direct flights at very competitive prices.

“Just as Volotea caters to individual passengers’ unique needs, AAR is nimble enough to cater to Volotea’s unique component needs at a price that allows them to remain competitive,” said Deepak Sharma, President, AAR International Supply Chain.

“We are pleased to have partnered with AAR and look forward to their support as we begin to phase in our first A319. Our continuous growth and switch to a new fleet required us to find a solid partner, and we believe we have that with AAR,” said Alex Clerc, Chief of Cost and Ops Performance for Volotea.

“This agreement is a testament to our strategic focus on Europe and our new PBH program management team’s efforts to raise the visibility of AAR’s supply chain network and capabilities in the region,” said John Holmes, Chief Operating Officer, AAR Aviation Services. “I am excited to expand AAR’s European footprint.”

About Volotea

Volotea, the airline of small and midsize European cities, offers direct flights at attractive prices. Its fleet is currently composed of 19 Boeing 717 with a configuration of 125 seats and will incorporate four Airbus A319 by the end of May 2016. Both models are recognized for their comfort and reliability, with Volotea offering reclining seats that are 5 percent wider than the average and approximately 30 inches of separation between each row. In 2016, the company will operate more than 38,000 flights across its 196 routes, which connect 72 small and midsize cities in 13 countries: France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, The Czech Republic, Croatia, Israel, Albania, Moldova, Portugal, Malta and UK. Since its creation in April 2012, Volotea has transported more than 7 million passengers across Europe and in 2016 expects to transport more than 3.4 million.