Case Study Allegiant Air’s Solution to High Maintenance Costs and Downtime
Overview
Allegiant Air faced rising maintenance costs and downtime due to the impact of adverse climatic conditions on its operations. To address these challenges, Allegiant explored the use of IglooMX® enclosures and built a business case to enhance their maintenance efficiency.
The Problem
Allegiant Air, a low-cost carrier (LCC), operates a fleet of 77 Airbus A320s and 18 MD-80s. Maintenance costs are significant, especially since their workshops in Florida and Las Vegas lack hangar space. During winter, Aircraft on-ground (AOG) situations take longer as crews rotate to avoid cold exposure. In summer, Florida’s heat and afternoon showers further delay maintenance work.
The Challenge
Allegiant needed a cost-effective, portable, and easy-to-use “rapid deploy” enclosure for its maintenance crews. This solution had to be compact, require minimal training, and be easily transportable. The goal was to reduce the need for hangar slots, thereby cutting maintenance costs and downtime.
The Approach
JB Roche provided the IglooMX® A320 Nose shelter for windscreen replacements. With modifications, this unit could also be used for engine work on the MD-80 and the A320 Nose/Windshield work. The Airbus-approved IglooMX® A320 Engine Change shelter was suitable for the rest of Allegiant’s fleet.
Allegiant strategically placed both Nose and Engine change shelters at three base locations. This allowed for scheduled maintenance and rapid deployment to incidents across North, South, East, West, and Central North America. The West Coast station also covered South America.
Allegiant’s business case forecasted annual savings of $600,000 in maintenance costs, with potential savings exceeding $10 million over the IglooMX®’s 10+ year lifespan.
The Result
In February 2018, an AOG incident occurred in Des Moines. With no hangar space available and outside temperatures at 8°F, an engine change would have taken up to 19 hours, requiring mechanic rotation to avoid cold-related risks.
Instead, the IglooMX® A320 Engine Change Hangar was deployed. With warm air pumped into the enclosure, the engine swap was completed in just 6 hours. The maintenance crew reported, “This Kit is awesome,” highlighting the significant time and cost savings, along with improved safety and comfort.
Conclusion
The deployment of IglooMX® enclosures provided significant time and cost savings for Allegiant Air while ensuring a safe and comfortable working environment for the maintenance crew. In the face of extreme weather conditions, providing such working spaces is crucial for staff retention, especially given the global shortage of aircraft mechanics.
The IglooMX® enclosures offer a strategic advantage, ensuring that maintenance crews can perform efficiently and safely under any weather conditions.
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