Article Posted on : - Oct 01, 2010

C212 surveillance aircraft.

MADRID (BNS): Airbus Military has been contracted to undertake the management, operation and support of the Spanish Customs Service’s fleet of six C212 surveillance aircraft.

Following refurbishment, the first of these aircraft will begin operations early next month, an Airbus statement said.

The Spanish Customs Service (Dirección General de la Agencia Estatal de Administration Tributaria, DAVA) awarded the €5.5 million contract to Airbus Military which is teaming with Spanish mission-critical aviation services company INAER.

Under the terms of the deal, the six aircraft will be transferred from the military to the civil register.

Airbus Military will be responsible for contract management including the upgrading of the aircraft as required, provision of continuing maintenance and spares services and fleet management.

INAER will provide a dedicated pilot force and take care of operating the aircraft. Under the terms of the contract three aircraft will be constantly maintained at two-hour readiness.

The contract runs for two years with an option to be extended for another two years. The remaining five aircraft will be progressively transferred to the new operation over the coming months.