The order is expected to have a total value of approximately USD 20 M for Volvo Aero.

“We are pleased to have signed a long-term agreement with a Western European airline such as VLM Airlines, which also has a strong environmental profile,” says Staffan Svensson, Head of Engine Services at Volvo Aero.

VLM Airlines began operating flights in May 1993, and since then, has developed a number of destinations in Western Europe, with a focus on business travelers. The company is part of the Air France KLM group and is the main operator at London City Airport, together with its sister company CityJet. VLM Airlines is in the process of changing its brand name to Cityjet by the end of this year.

The company has a fleet of 18 Fokker 50 aircraft with PW100 engines.

Cooperation with Volvo Aero is expected to strengthen VLM Airline’s environmental profile, since Volvo Aero has an established program to enable customers to cut fuel consumption, and thereby reduce emissions from flights.

“Although the agreement will not create any new jobs, it will ensure the continued employment of personnel in our maintenance operations, since it will allow us to continue our expansion in the turboprop segment according to plan,” says Staffan Svensson.

The agreement, which was signed in conjunction with the international Paris Air Show, is a so-called “flight-hour agreement,” which means that VLM Airlines will pay a fixed price for each hour the engines are used. Volvo Aero secured the agreement despite intense competition from several other players in the industry.

With the signing of this agreement, Volvo Aero has now added another reputable airline to its list of Engine Flight Hour agreement customers; the company is also responsible for Skyways’ (Sweden) and Widerøe’s (Norway) fleets of aircraft with PW100 engines.