Memorandum of Understanding for Establishment Maastricht Maintenance Boulevard signed | Press Release

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Press Release

Issued by Maastricht Aachen Airport BV.

June 22, 2007

Memorandum of Understanding for Establishment Maastricht Maintenance Boulevard signed

Today (June 19, 2007) five Dutch MRO companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a Maintenance Boulevard at Maastricht Aachen Airport.

Maintenance Boulevard is an initiative for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) in which multiple Dutch Aircraft Maintenance organizations will be housed on a single location to bundle their activities. In December 2006 Maastricht Aachen Airport was chosen as the most favourable location for the project after a study conducted by the Netherlands Aerospace Group (NAG).

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Stella Aviation Technics, SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance, Quality Aircraft Painting Services (QAPS), Aircraft Interior Services and Aircraft End of Life Solutions. In the further development of the plans the airport will cooperate closely with the NAG, airport owner and operator Omniport Holdings Ltd., The Provincial Government of Limburg, Limburg development company LIOF and the participating companies.

Another important participant in the project is Leeuwenborgh Education which is already situated at the airport. "The presence and expansion plans of Leeuwenborgh have been an important factor in the development of the project due to the current shortage of aircraft maintenance personnel" said Ruud Kleinendorst, Project Manager of Maastricht Maintenance Boulevard.

Jan Tindemans, Chairman of the Board at Maastricht Aachen Airport, announced he was pleased with these latest developments. "MRO is an important sector in aviation which, together with our activities in passengers and freight, offers multiple business opportunities for the future. Now that five companies have signed, the expectation is that other MRO companies will follow the example. Our new 100 hectare Businesspark offers many opportunities and space". Jaap Heukelom, Senior Project Manager Aerospace Industries of LIOF said: "Besides our involvement in the expansion plans of businesses already present at the airport, we are in negotiations with many other parties regarding their participation in Maastricht Maintenance Boulevard".

The Maintenance boulevard will be located on a newly constructed platform on the east-side of the airport grounds. The construction of the platform and the company locations will commence in 2008. It is expected the whole project will generate approximately 500 primary jobs when completed.