Comlux wins 737 completion work for Asian customer

Comlux America will perform cabin completion work on a Boeing 737-700 BBJ aircraft to be delivered to an Asian Customer.

The work will be conducted at the company's Indianapolis facility, says Comlux, which specialises in areas such as cabin completions, MRO, charters, and aircraft management.

The aircraft entered Comlux’s Indianapolis facility in January, and the work, which includes painting the fuselage, will take a total of 14 months. Comlux did not identify the customer. 

Frederic Dubant, executive Vice President commercial at the company, says Comlux is still exploring the idea of setting up a completions centre in China, but will only do so with a partner that Comlux is satisfied shares its values and perspectives on completions work.

He adds that Chinese customers prefer to buy the aircraft, and subsequently shop around for a cabin that meets their needs. 

If a Chinese centre becomes a reality, the project will be spearheaded by the company's US operation, which is focused on completions. 

Comlux is also on the hunt to manage aircraft in the region. At present it manages no aircraft locally, although it used to manage an Airbus ACJ319 based in Taiwan and a 737 BBJ based in Macau.

Dubant says that managing these assets worked well. He feels that Comlux would fill a useful role in managing foreign registered aircraft operating the region. 

Dubant adds that Comlux is not interested in obtaining an Air Operators Certificate in China, pointing out that the company already has AOCs in Aruba, Malta, and Kazakhstan. 

That said, Comlux could be willing to partner with a local company in China for charter work, but that any such partnership must have synergies with the broader Comlux business.

An Airbus A319 aircraft managed by Comlux appeared on static display at this year's show.