Engine Assurance Program (EAP), a Dallas, Texas-based provider of engine maintenance programmes, has deferred its minimum flight hours requirement to provide relief to operators affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Already known for having low hourly minimum usage requirements, EAP will now defer those hours until 2021 to help operators who may be flying less as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

EAP's low 75-hour yearly minimum usage requirement is one of the benefits of its engine maintenance programme. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, EAP has enhanced this benefit. The company will waive minimums for 2020 if operators fly 150 hours by the end of 2021.

“If operators can't reach 75 hours of flight time this year, they can roll the deficit into 2021 without penalty as long as they reach 150 hours of total flight time over the 2020 and 2021 calendar years,” says Sean Lynch, EAP programme coordinator. “Our hearts go out to anyone who has been impacted by the virus, either directly or indirectly. Business is in flux, and we want to do our part to help things return to normal.”