Germany-based MRO service provider FAI Technik, a subsidiary of special mission operator FAI rent-a-jet, has expanded its presence in the country with the opening of a maintenance base at the new Willy Brandt Berlin Brandenburg airport.

FAI will offer line and base maintenance for the full line of Hawker HS125 series, Beechcraft Premier 1/1A and King Air series aircraft as well line maintenance checks up to 1C for Gulfstream models including G280, G450, G500, G550, G650 and G650ER. Additionally, an AOG team for Learjet and Bombardier aircraft will be deployed to support FAI's own fleet of Learjet 60, Challenger 604 and Global Express BD700 aircraft, which regularly operate in and out of Berlin. The new facility will complement FAI's existing centre of competence for base maintenance and modifications of Learjet and Bombardier aircraft at its headquarters at Albrecht Duerer airport in Nuremberg.

FAI will employ over 90 per cent of Beechcraft Berlin Aviation's (BBA) former workforce at the new facility, following BBA's filing for insolvency in Spring 2022.

Located at the airport's general aviation terminal, FAI's new facility includes over 3,400 sqm of hangar floor space and another 1,300 sqm of workshops, stores and offices. FAI Technik becomes the second MRO serving business aircraft there and the only one to support more than one aircraft manufacturer for maintenance services.

FAI Group chairman Siegfried Axtmann says: “We are delighted to announce FAI Technik's presence at Germany's capital airport, which will nicely complement our existing MRO facility at Nuremberg. We are also pleased to be able to retain more than 30 highly qualified ex-BBA staff members who will continue supporting BBA's clients and contribute to the growth and prosperity of FAI's maintenance division.”

FAI rent-a-jet itself is planning to expand its management services for Berlin Brandenburg-based aircraft and is already operating two aircraft, a BD700 and a CL604, that are based at the airport.