WOOD DALE, IL, PARIS, France and CHONBURI, Thailand – AAR and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) have formed xCelle Asia, a joint venture located in Chonburi, Thailand, to overhaul nacelles for new-generation aircraft.
xCelle Asia will support operators in the Asia-Pacific region. The facility will handle nacelle maintenance, repair, and overhaul, including on-wing / on-site inspections, and rotable services for next-generation nacelles such as GEnx, Trent 1000, and LEAP-1A/1B engine types.
“This joint venture markedly expands our service offerings in the Asia-Pacific region and furthers our ability to deliver high quality, industry leading solutions to our customers,” said Jim Berberet, senior vice president of component services at AAR. “We are looking forward to replicating our current success in the Americas by combining the experience of AAR’s highly regarded Component Services team in Thailand with AFI KLM E&M’s global network.”
“The creation of xCelle Asia represents a major step forward in strengthening our global MRO network. By expanding our nacelle capabilities into the Asia-Pacific region, we are positioning ourselves to deliver world-class, next-generation support closer to our customers. This new venture reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence, and we are proud to bring our expertise to one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets,” stated Benjamin Moreau, senior vice president of strategy and business development at AFI KLM E&M.
Source: AAR
About AAR
AAR CORP., founded in 1955 and headquartered in Wood Dale, IL, is a provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company offers a range of services, including parts supply, integrated solutions, repair and engineering, and expeditionary services. AAR serves industries such as aerospace and defense, providing support for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. With operations in over 20 countries, AAR employs approximately 6,000 people globally.
About AFI KLM E&M
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance is a global provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for commercial aircraft. The company supports engines, airframes, components and line maintenance for airlines operating in many regions. It also offers technical training, logistics services and component management through an international network. AFI KLM E&M serves about 200 domestic and international airlines that operate nearly 3,000 aircraft worldwide. The company employs more than 12,800 people as of 2025. Its work covers engine overhaul, aero structure support, thrust reverser services and the repair and supply of aircraft components. The organization took shape after Air France Industries and KLM Engineering & Maintenance aligned their activities following the creation of the Air France-KLM group in 2004. AFI KLM E&M is headquartered in Roissy-en-France, France, near Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. It operates several maintenance facilities that handle scheduled and unscheduled work for commercial fleets. The company supports customers through integrated engineering capabilities and a logistics network designed to manage parts availability. Its services help airlines meet regulatory requirements and maintain operational continuity across varied flight operations.