One of the benefits of the lower news flow in August is that we can take a look at topics which are interesting but perhaps wouldn’t usually make the cut. This is one of them.
British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) turned 25 years old recently and threw a big party. It is very likely that you have never spent much time thinking about where BA sends most of its long-haul Boeing aircraft for maintenance, but Cardiff is the answer.
A bit of background
The idea of a 70-acre aircraft maintenance facility in Cardiff was first proposed in 1990 and opened in 1993 to look after BA’s Boeing 747 fleet.
British Airways Maintenance was opened by Prince Charles on 30th July 1993.
In 2008 BAMC started to also maintain the Boeing 767-300 fleet and in 2010 the Boeing 777-200 and 777-300 were added. The hanger also has the capability to maintain the newest Boeing 787 fleet.
Over the last 25 years, the team has successfully handled 1,754 projects, ranging from installing the first flat bed seats and overhead crew rest areas in the industry, to modifying the entire 747 fleet to extend its service life.
If you want to find out how much it is to change a wheel or get an aircraft cleaned, here is the price list for British Airways Engineering. (£3600 for washing an A380 seems a bit pricey, given the typical car wash price list, should you happen to have one which is looking a bit dirty …..)
Here are some pictures from the 25th birthday celebration:
The official statement from Head of Business Units Rob Crew said:
“Huge congratulations and my thanks to all those colleagues, past and present, who have contributed to the BAMC story over the past 25 years. Over this time BAMC has been a central part of our business, never standing still and continuing to develop its people and capabilities. The organisation has been flexible and quick to respond to the ever-changing needs of our customers and our business, including new aircraft types, cabin configuration changes, new IFE systems, repairs and modifications.”
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Threre is a BBC documentary on a 747 overhaul that takes place at Cardiff. It also had a mention in the ‘Very British Airline’ documentary as well.
Engineering Giants gets regular outings on BBC 2 and 4
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l1w71
And is on you tube
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RxwDKPbrqQo
If only they would fly BA flights from cardiff
+1
+1
+1!
I flew FlyBE from Venice to Cardiff today. They *only* have airport check-in in Venice, which opens two hours before departure, guaranteeing a lengthy queue. An airline with a proper website and app would be much appreciated!
They fly from just across the channel (Bristol) but the choice is limited!
as this thread might not get too many comments:
I remember when BA introduced the Flower Duet from Lakmé (way back when) that there were a number of different versions of the tune on various instruments – one I remember was on Spanish Guitar.
I just found one of them (Piano & Sitar) from an old radio commercial here: https://www.hatads.org.uk/catalogue/record/595aabf2-4eef-4d58-9694-ef9d9044ceff
Does anyone else have any of the other recordings?
Thx.
The hangarage charges seem remarkably high. If you owned a garage would you pay to park on the forecourt?
I assumed that it was an inter-departmental charge.
I imagine its a charge to customers as BA Engineering also do work for other airlines at LHR
Interesting read, but got me thinking: where do the Airbus fleet get maintained?
The more extensive checks/services for the A380 & possibly all the long haul fleet happen in Manila where Lufthansa have a large facility. Shows the effect of labour costs when it’s cheaper to fly an empty plane thousands of miles! Sometimes they fly on after a commercial flight to Singapore but sometimes make the trip empty all the way.
A380s go to Singapore. Not sure about the short haul fleet.
The BA-owned major maintenance base for the shorthaul Airbus fleet is Glasgow, with third party operations in Prestick and (occasionally) Sofia used as fill-in when necessary. Certain jobs – e.g. painting – are carried out by Iberia in Madrid.
The 777 densification is also happening in Singapore
Such a handsome chap when he was younger https://www.headforpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/BAMC-25-years-2-400×266.jpg