News
Altenrhein Aviation first FESC

June 18, 2009 – Paris – In a signing ceremony held at the Paris International Air Show at Le Bourget, France, Viking Air Limited of Victoria, B.C., Canada finalized an agreement with Altenrhein Aviation Ltd. of St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport, Switzerland to be the OEM’s first Factory Endorsed Service Centre (FESC) for the Twin Otter Series of aircraft.
 
This agreement authorizes Altenrhein Aviation to provide world class OEM backed support services for the Twin Otter program with respect to maintenance, warranty work, and Viking recognized modifications.  Altenrhein Aviation will be responsible for maintaining a high level of customer service, to standards set forth by Viking.
 
David Curtis, Viking president & CEO, and Friedrich Gothsche, CEO & Accountable Manager for Altenrhein Aviation, were on hand to execute the agreement.  Said Curtis, “Viking recognizes that Altenrhein Aviation has provided high quality Twin Otter support activities in the past, and is looking forward to further enhancing those services through a strong relationship with the OEM. As we begin to deliver new Twin Otters having partners such as Altenrhein Aviation will be absolutely critical to our customer’s long term success with the type.”
 
“Altenrhein Aviation has been maintaining this type for many years,” added Gothsche, “and brings a skilled work force and a reputation for Swiss quality to the Viking FESC program, to represent the OEM in Switzerland and throughout the aviation community.”
 
Altenrhein Aviation, a subsidiary of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, has been offering EASA Part-145 certified aircraft maintenance for general aviation, business and utility aircraft for decades, and their extensive experience and commitment to business excellence meets the criteria for obtaining Viking FESC status.  Also a significant factor in naming Altenrhein Aviation as the first FESC is the proximity to Zimex Aviation of Switzerland, Viking first Series 400 customer.
 
The Factory Endorsed Service Centres are part of Viking’s ATLAS (Aircraft Technical Liaison And Support) Program, designated to ensure owners and operators of the legacy de Havilland aircraft and new Twin Otter Series 400 receive utmost service and support recognized by the OEM.
 
Viking is anticipating announcing an additional five Factory Endorsed Service Centres globally over the course of the next year as Twin Otter Series 400 production progresses and customer deliveries commence later this year.
 
Viking provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland heritage line of aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7), and is part of Westerkirk Capital Inc., a Canadian private investment firm with substantial holdings in the hospitality, aviation and real estate sectors.