Azul Airlines MRO Center

Project Details

Project Description

To support their continued growth in Brazil, Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras (Azul) decided to develop a new aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center at Viracopos International Airport. Planning and programming the 270,000 SF facility required an in-depth assessment of current practices in aircraft maintenance. As a facility of this size has not been constructed in the country for decades, Azul had to address new and updated safety standards.

Ghafari worked closely with Azul to understand their current and future operational requirements for their expanding fleet, providing professional services from conceptual planning through development of construction documents.

The new MRO center can accommodate multiple configurations of aircraft for both line and heavy aircraft maintenance for Azul’s Embraer, ATR and Airbus fleet. Support spaces include technical service shops, logistics management, administrative areas, management and engineering offices, and a technical training center. We worked closely with project stakeholders and end users to plan a facility that would enhance their productivity and provide a safe working environment for Azul employees.

A grand project in size, this facility is the largest MRO complex to be constructed in Brazil in the last 40 years. Consequently, our technical team worked closely with local municipal authorities to update current building codes and develop new standards for fire protection, contributing to the country’s greater aviation infrastructure. Now complete, the hangar improves Azul’s maintenance productivity through enhanced operating efficiencies. These improvements will translate into cost savings for the airline and a healthy work environment for their employees.