Aspire MRO to open widebody conversion and maintenance facility

Aspire MRO has launched its programme of widebody MRO and passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion services. The company will operate six bays at the dedicated 840,000 square foot facility, available for heavy widebody maintenance and B777 P2F conversions at the former American Airlines maintenance facility located at Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas. The company is backed by investment funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group.

With experienced leadership and labour teams in place, Aspire is aiming to become a world-class heavy maintenance and P2F provider for both domestic and international operators. The company has secured what it calls a ‘substantial’ long-term multi-year contract to perform P2F conversions and MRO-related work for Mammoth Freighters, and maintains additional capacity to support operators seeking to meet the ever-increasing demand for next-generation P2F conversions.

Aspire’s president & CEO, Phil Bathurst stated, “With a strong backlog of work, an experienced leadership team, an impressive facility at the premier Fort Worth Alliance Airport, and the financial backing of a leading global alternative asset manager with decades of experience in our sector, I fully expect Aspire to become the pre-eminent MRO providing conversion and maintenance services to widebody aircraft in North America.”