When Paris welcomed thousands of athletes and spectators for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Air France faced an immense logistical challenge: ensuring flights arrived on time with minimal disruptions. Recognising the complexity of this task, Collins Aerospace stepped in with a strategic solution.
A team of 21 specialists from Collins, an RTX business, worked across multiple locations to ensure that none of the Collins-manufactured components in Air France’s fleet caused a delay or cancellation.
“Our approach was to ensure availability of components and services that were critical to airline operations,” said Rebeca Romero, senior manager at Collins overseeing the performance of the business’ products in the Air France fleet.
The initiative showcased Collins’ expertise in advanced planning techniques to maintain stock levels of critical replacement parts. A similar approach had been successfully implemented to support Qatar Airways during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Preparation Pays Off
Planning began in May 2024, when Collins worked with Air France to develop a “critical parts list.” This involved:
- Assessing stock levels and available inventory
- Mapping logistics for rapid part deliveries
- Identifying and mitigating potential supply chain obstacles
This meticulous preparation proved invaluable. “It took months in advance to get inventory levels as healthy as possible,” said Matt Wheeler, director of Customer and Account Management for Aftermarket Customer and Product Support at Collins. The result? Not a single Collins-made component contributed to a flight delay.
Keeping the Fleet in Shape
Throughout the Olympics, Collins specialists played a crucial role in maintaining Air France’s fleet, including:
- Expedited shipping of vital components such as bearings and O-rings for cargo loading systems
- Dispatching maintenance teams to service nacelles
- Assessing third-party vendor performance for deep-cleaning cabin interiors
- Accelerating the delivery of heat-shield blankets to meet regulatory deadlines
During the Games, daily meetings ensured a smooth operation, with Romero stationed at Charles de Gaulle Airport while her colleagues worked remotely from Europe and the US.
“It was a total team effort from every business unit in Collins,” Wheeler said. “We wanted perfect execution.”
The initiative underscored a broader principle: with meticulous planning and expert collaboration, airlines can significantly reduce flight disruptions. As Wheeler put it, “We’re heading in the right direction.”
SOURCE AND IMAGE: COLLINS AEROSPACE
