California-based Bombardier authorised service facility (ASF) and Citation repair station ACI Jet has finalised the acquisition of a Van Nuys airport-based aircraft maintenance operation. The acquisition secures a footprint at one of the busiest general and business aviation airports in the world. A tenant of Castle & Cooke Aviation on the west side of the airport, ACI Jet has secured office space and stationed technicians and two mobile aircraft vehicles with plans for additional vehicles and crew in 2023.

ACI Jet's mobile unscheduled aircraft maintenance (AOG) division serves two primary functions: an extension of support for the company's repair station customers and on demand support for both transient and managed fleet aircraft throughout California. The new footprint in Van Nuys, coupled with existing vehicles, technicians and both office and hangar space at John Wayne airport in Orange County, expands the volume of customers served throughout southern California and facilitates greater support throughout northern California by the company's San Luis Obispo-based AOG team. The immediate coverage area of the new operating base will extend beyond Van Nuys airport to Burbank airport, Los Angeles International airport, Long Beach airport, Camarillo airport and Santa Barbara airport, to name a few.

While primarily focused on Bombardier Global and Challenger series aircraft and Cessna Citation business jets, the AOG response team is capable of providing services for a full range of business aircraft. The strategic location of the new operating base puts additional parts, staffing, resources and tooling from the repair station at less than three hours away.

While the new AOG maintenance hub is fully operational, senior vice president of aircraft maintenance David Jensen outlined a phasing plan to scale up capabilities as local demand dictates. “Our goal is to be responsive to the needs of our customers at the airport while balancing the existing resources provided by some of our partners,” he says. The initial phasing plan includes the two current mobile aircraft maintenance vehicles and full time technicians covering Van Nuys and surrounding airports, plus additional vehicles and technicians by the close of this year. Jensen anticipates additional vehicles and technicians in early 2023 as demand rises.

He adds: “A lot of our customers, including large fleet operators with whom we have long standing relationships, have asked specifically for ACI Jet's support in Van Nuys, and we want to deliver on their needs. Basing vehicles and technicians locally will reduce our response times to virtually zero while bringing our renowned repair station capabilities and resources for select airframes within reach. This will be unrivalled coverage and service for ACI Jet's customers.”