Aveos Fleet Performance

Aveos Fleet Performance Inc. was a Canadian aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company serving commercial airlines and other aviation customers. Its capabilities covered airframe, engine, component and related maintenance work, and its Canadian facilities were located in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. The company was closely connected to Air Canada, from which its operating history and much of its customer base originated, but it was later separated from the airline and operated as an independent private enterprise. Aveos traced its roots to the maintenance organization created inside Trans-Canada Airlines in 1937. Trans-Canada Airlines became Air Canada in 1965, and a 1968 reorganization grouped the maintenance activities under Air Canada Technical Services, commonly known as ACTS. ACTS initially served Air Canada but also developed business with other carriers and aviation companies. This external-customer strategy enabled the organization to function as a broader MRO provider rather than solely as an airline engineering department. In 2005, ACTS joined the Airbus MRO Network, strengthening its position in the international maintenance market. The business underwent a major structural change after Air Canada entered bankruptcy protection in 2003. Following the creation of ACE Aviation Holdings as Air Canada's parent in 2004, the maintenance organization was prepared for separation from the airline. In February 2007, ACTS agreed to acquire an 80 percent interest in Aeroman, a Salvadoran MRO business established to maintain aircraft for TACA Airlines. On October 16, 2007, U.S. investment firms Sageview Capital and KKR Private Equity Investors acquired a 70 percent stake in ACTS, making the company independent of Air Canada in operational and ownership terms. The organization adopted the Aveos Fleet Performance name on September 23, 2008. The name was presented as a reference to aviation and a new corporate beginning. Aveos subsequently positioned itself as a broad, or “nose-to-tail,” maintenance provider for Boeing, Airbus and Embraer aircraft. Its work included heavy airframe maintenance, engine-related services and component support. The Aeroman subsidiary in El Salvador focused primarily on narrow-body aircraft and served airlines from the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Aeroman was not included in Aveos's Canadian creditor-protection proceedings and continued operating separately. The company's financial structure became increasingly difficult. By the end of 2009, an audit reportedly identified substantial debt, and a lender group took control during a 2010 recapitalization. Although management described the restructuring as a way to reduce debt and provide working capital without bankruptcy protection, Aveos remained highly dependent on Air Canada. Air Canada supplied more than 85 percent of Aveos's revenue according to the company's 2012 court filing. Labor representatives also objected to the separation and warned that heavy-maintenance work could migrate to lower-cost locations, including Aeroman and competing facilities in the United States. Aveos's Canadian operations collapsed in March 2012. The company closed facilities, laid off more than 2,600 Canadian employees and sought protection under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act on March 19. Aveos attributed its condition in court documents to financial pressures and its deteriorating relationship with Air Canada, including alleged reductions in aircraft work and competitive bidding practices. Air Canada expressed disappointment and sought court intervention to preserve maintenance operations, but the Quebec Superior Court declined to compel Aveos to continue operating. On March 20, Aveos began liquidating its Canadian aircraft-maintenance business, retaining only a small group to administer the process. In January 2013, Lockheed Martin Canada purchased tools and equipment associated wi…

Aveos originated within the maintenance organization of Trans-Canada Airlines, which was established in 1937. When Trans-Canada Airlines became Air Canada in 1965, its maintenance activities continued within the airline. In 1968, the maintenance organization was formally grouped as Air Canada Technical Services, or ACTS. Although it supported Air Canada, ACTS also serviced outside customers from the late 1960s onward, establishing the commercial MRO capabilities that later defined Aveos. Air Canada's financial restructuring in the early 2000s accelerated the separation of the maintenance business. ACE Aviation Holdings became Air Canada's parent in 2004, and ACTS was prepared to operate independently. ACTS joined the Airbus MRO Network in 2005. In February 2007, it agreed to purchase an 80 percent interest in Aeroman, a Salvadoran maintenance company founded in 1983 for TACA Airlines. Aeroman had received Federal Aviation Administration certification in 1992 and became an Airbus MRO Network member in 2005. On October 16, 2007, Sageview Capital and KKR Private Equity Investors acquired a 70 percent stake in ACTS. The transaction marked the company's formal emergence as an independent private MRO provider. On September 23, 2008, ACTS changed its name to Aveos Fleet Performance Inc. The rebranding accompanied efforts to build a broader international customer base and reduce reliance on Air Canada. Aveos combined Canadian facilities in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver with Aeroman's Salvadoran operations. It marketed airframe, engine and component solutions for Boeing, Airbus and Embraer aircraft and maintained relationships with technology and equipment partners including General Electric, CFM International, Hamilton Sundstrand and Honeywell. Aeroman concentrated on narrow-body aircraft and served carriers from the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. Expansion plans included additional Aeroman production capacity. In 2009, Aeroman announced plans for a new hangar intended to add an eighth production line and eventually support a much larger workforce. By early 2011, Aeroman had completed 1,000 major maintenance checks since its creation and employed approximately 1,800 people. Its growth contrasted with the mounting financial and labor pressures affecting Aveos's Canadian operations. Aveos's ownership and financing changed during 2010. A lender group took control after the company encountered heavy debt, and a recapitalization plan reduced debt while adding proposed working capital. Air Canada's direct or indirect interest was reported to have declined substantially, although the airline remained Aveos's dominant customer. Labor representatives criticized the outsourcing structure and warned that Canadian heavy-maintenance jobs could move to lower-cost jurisdictions after the Air Canada contract expired. The company entered its final crisis in March 2012. Aveos closed its Canadian plants and filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act on March 19. The filing described severe financial deterioration and attributed much of the pressure to the company's relationship with Air Canada, which represented more than 85 percent of Aveos revenue according to the filing. Air Canada disputed the practical consequences of the shutdown and sought an order requiring Aveos to continue maintaining aircraft, but the Quebec Superior Court declined to force the company to preserve operations through the courts. On March 20, 2012, Aveos began liquidating its Canadian aircraft-maintenance business. More than 2,600 Canadian employees lost their jobs, while a small group remained to conduct the liquidation. Aeroman was outside the Canadian filing and continued operating independently. In January 2013, Lockheed Martin Canada acquired selected Aveos tools, engine-line equipment and a Montreal-area facility. Aveos consequently became a defunct Canadian MRO brand, while the Aeroman operation continued separately.

1. 2013Selected assets sold to Lockheed Martin Canada

   Lockheed Martin Canada purchased selected engine-line equipment, tools and a Montreal-area facility from the failed company.

   Source
2. 2012Creditor protection and Canadian shutdown

   Aveos filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act and began closing its Canadian maintenance operations.

   Source
3. 2008Aveos Fleet Performance name adopted

   ACTS formally rebranded as Aveos Fleet Performance Inc. as part of its independent corporate identity.

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4. 2007ACTS acquires a majority interest in Aeroman

   ACTS agreed to acquire 80 percent of Aeroman, a Salvadoran MRO provider focused on narrow-body aircraft.

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5. 2007ACTS becomes independently owned

   Sageview Capital and KKR Private Equity Investors acquired a 70 percent stake in ACTS, supporting its separation from Air Canada.

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6. 2005ACTS joins the Airbus MRO Network

   ACTS became a member of the Airbus MRO Network as it expanded beyond its original airline-internal role.

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7. 1968Air Canada Technical Services is formed

   A corporate reorganization grouped the maintenance activities under Air Canada Technical Services, later known as ACTS.

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8. 1965Trans-Canada Airlines becomes Air Canada

   The parent airline was renamed Air Canada, while its maintenance operations continued as part of the airline group.

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9. 1937Maintenance organization established within Trans-Canada Airlines

   Aveos's historical roots began with the in-house aircraft-maintenance division created by Trans-Canada Airlines.

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An independent, airline-linked aircraft MRO provider offering integrated airframe, engine and component maintenance for commercial aviation customers.

• Airframe maintenanceAircraft MRO

  Aveos provided airframe maintenance and overhaul services for commercial aircraft. The work formed part of its integrated MRO offering and supported aircraft operators requiring inspections, structural work and heavy-maintenance activity rather than only routine line maintenance.

• Engine maintenanceAircraft MRO

  Engine-related maintenance was one of Aveos's principal service areas. The company operated engine-maintenance lines in Canada, with associated tools and equipment later sold during the liquidation process.

• Component maintenanceAircraft MRO

  Aveos serviced aircraft components as part of its broader maintenance portfolio. Component support complemented airframe and engine work and helped the company market integrated solutions to airlines and aviation partners.

• Aeroman narrow-body maintenanceAircraft MRO

  Through its relationship with Aeroman in El Salvador, Aveos was associated with narrow-body aircraft maintenance serving airlines across the Americas. Aeroman remained operational and outside Aveos's Canadian creditor-protection filing, so this service line continued separately after Aveos's Canadian liquidation.

• 2012Seek creditor protection and liquidate Canadian operationsStrategy

  Aveos reported severe financial pressure, a deteriorating relationship with its principal customer and insufficiently viable Canadian operations.

  What changed. The company filed under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act and then commenced liquidation of its Canadian aircraft-maintenance business.

  Aftermath. More than 2,600 Canadian jobs were lost, Canadian plants were closed and Aveos ceased operating as a Canadian MRO provider. Aeroman continued separately.

  Reported loss. $48.9 million loss cited in the 2012 court filing (Immediately preceding the March 2012 filing)

  Source
• 2010Recapitalize the company through lender controlStrategy

  Aveos faced substantial debt and needed a new ownership and financing structure.

  What changed. A group of lenders took control and arranged a recapitalization intended to reduce debt and provide working capital.

  Aftermath. The restructuring did not resolve the company's dependence on Air Canada or prevent the 2012 creditor-protection filing.

  Reported debt reduction. Approximately $800 million → Approximately $75 million (2010 recapitalization)

  Source
• 2008Rebrand as Aveos Fleet PerformanceStrategy

  The company was completing its transition from an Air Canada maintenance division to an independent commercial MRO provider.

  What changed. ACTS adopted the Aveos Fleet Performance name and promoted a broader aviation-services identity.

  Aftermath. The rebranded company continued serving Air Canada and external aviation customers until its Canadian operations failed in 2012.

  Source
• 2007Acquire a majority interest in AeromanM&A

  ACTS sought to expand its international MRO platform and gain access to a lower-cost narrow-body maintenance base in El Salvador.

  What changed. ACTS agreed to acquire 80 percent of Aeroman, which continued operating as a Salvadoran MRO business.

  Aftermath. Aeroman became an important international component of the Aveos network and remained outside the Canadian liquidation proceedings in 2012.

  Source

• 2013Lockheed Martin Canada acquires Aveos equipment and facility assets

  Lockheed Martin Canada purchased tools and equipment connected with two aircraft-engine lines and acquired the Aveos building near Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.

  M&A
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• 2012Aveos seeks creditor protection and closes Canadian plants

  Aveos filed under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, halted most Canadian operations and announced layoffs affecting more than 2,600 workers.

  BankruptcyOther
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• 2012Canadian maintenance business enters liquidation

  Following court proceedings, Aveos began liquidating its Canadian aircraft-maintenance operations while retaining a limited number of employees to administer the process.

  Bankruptcy
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• 2011Aveos announces new president and chief executive

  Aveos announced Joe Kolshak as its new president and chief executive officer.

  Leadership change
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• 2011Aveos raises additional financing

  The company announced a new financing arrangement with existing lenders and private banking participants as it attempted to support its strategic plan.

  Other
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• 2008Aveos adopts its independent corporate identity

  Air Canada Technical Services formally adopted the Aveos Fleet Performance name as part of its transition into an independent aviation maintenance company.

  Other
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1. Aveos Fleet Performance
2. Lockheed subsidiary to buy Aveos repair business, rehire some workers