In light of travel restrictions imposed by US Federal and State agencies, California-based business jet maintenance provider ACI Jet has announced a new programme for aircraft that have been sitting in extended ground time and require de-preservation, system servicing and operational checks, and other required maintenance prior to being approved for return to service.

The mobile return to service, or mRTS, programme offers programme participants a guaranteed labour rate reduction of 10% for inspections and maintenance required to return their aircraft to service after long-duration ground time. Travel discounts will be considered based on scheduling for customers within 250 miles of ACI Jet's San Luis Obispo, California headquarters, including both the Bay Area and greater Los Angeles area. The programme is expected to last through June of this year but may be extended based on the duration of travel restrictions.

Enrolment in the mRTS programme does not require a commitment to receive service. However, to be eligible to receive the labour discount and be considered for other travel discounts, enrolment is required. The offer is structured in order to address what the company anticipates will be a flood of inquiries for service in a short period of time, as travel restrictions are lifted. By enrolling in the programme, ACI Jet's AOG maintenance division can build a more effective and efficient maintenance schedule that provides services right where the aircraft are located.

“Knowing who needs what services, and when, and having the ability to coordinate not only our AOG team's schedule, but to coordinate our clients' schedules collectively, will help everyone get through what is anticipated to be a very busy time period,” states Chris Seabrook, ACI Jet's AOG and mobile maintenance manager.

“Global events and challenges such as what we find ourselves in now, with certainty, yield opportunities,” adds Dave Jensen, ACI Jet's senior vice president of aircraft maintenance. “Through this programme we aim to satisfy needs that some aircraft owners may not yet know that they have, given the unprecedented nature of this pandemic.”