Vallair takes in its first A330neo for base maintenance in Châteauroux

Vallair has welcomed its first Airbus A330neo for base maintenance at its site in Châteauroux, France. The French MRO and asset management company shared the news on 21 October 2026. The aircraft is flown by an airline in South America, which was not named. It is now going through a full base maintenance check.

Vallair gained approval to work on the A330neo in the summer. This aircraft is the first one to use that new approval. The company says the step is part of a wider plan to grow its skills in line with what airlines need.

Why the A330neo matters for MRO shops

More airlines are flying the A330neo, and the fleet will keep growing. François Fermaut, who runs operations at Châteauroux, said Airbus still has just under 300 A330neo orders left to deliver. Each of those aircraft will need heavy checks in the years ahead. That means more demand for hangars and for staff trained on the type.

Vallair Group CEO Grégoire Lebigot said operators choose the A330neo for its value, range of uses and efficiency. He also said events in the Middle East have led some operators to look to Europe for maintenance and asset support. European providers need space in their hangars to meet that need. Vallair has also invested in its people. It trains technicians at its own school, the Aircraft Academy.

Fermaut called the first arrival "a welcome sight" for the team.

See Vallair at MRO Europe

You can read more about the company on Vallair's page on The Flying Engineer. Vallair is on the exhibitor list for MRO Europe 2026 in Amsterdam, 27 to 29 October, at stand 1-1040. To compare other repair shops and hangars, see our aircraft maintenance companies.

Source: Aviation Maintenance Magazine, 21 October 2026