Daher Aircraft has inaugurated a new spare parts, maintenance, equipment overhaul and logistics centre at Jonzac-Neulles Airport in western France, significantly expanding its aircraft support capabilities while creating room for future growth.
The new 6,000-square-metre facility, located at Jonzac-Neulles Airport (LFCJ) in France’s Charente-Maritime Department, replaces the company’s previous operation in Merpins, approximately 25 kilometres away. The purpose-built centre enhances Daher Aircraft’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services across a broad range of aircraft, including helicopters, pilot training aircraft and legacy general aviation platforms produced by its predecessor companies.
The expanded workspace ensures continuity for existing support and service contracts while providing additional capacity to accommodate future business growth. Its direct access to the airport’s 1,370-metre runway also enables on-aircraft maintenance and technical support services.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by former Communauté des Communes de Haute Saintonge president Claude Belot, under whose leadership the project was initiated, along with current president and Jonzac mayor Christophe Cabri, local elected officials and government representatives.
“This inauguration marks another important step in Daher Aircraft’s commitment to further strengthening our global support network and the comprehensive services it provides,” said Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft. “Today’s milestone is also an opportunity to recognize the commitment of Claude Belot and the Communauté des Communes de Haute Saintonge, whose support has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.”
The new centre delivers a wide range of logistics, repair and overhaul services under both direct customer contracts and supplier agreements. It supports various aircraft types, including Airbus helicopters operated by the French Gendarmerie, as well as Cirrus and Grob training aircraft.
A major focus of the facility is the continued support of approximately 3,000 TB and Rallye family aircraft originally manufactured by SOCATA, now part of Daher Aircraft. Services include spare parts supply, component repairs and the manufacture of replacement parts under the company’s Part 21J Design Organization Approval.
The facility also houses specialised workshops for composite airframe repairs, painting, welding, landing gear hydraulics, battery overhaul and Level 2 non-destructive testing, strengthening the company’s in-house maintenance capabilities.
The new operation currently employs 32 personnel who transferred from the Merpins facility, ensuring uninterrupted expertise and customer support. Daher Aircraft expects the workforce to grow to around 40 employees by the end of the year as operations continue to expand.
