Caribbean Airlines is pleased to announce that is has today completed its first ‘C’ Check on one of its B737NG aircraft. 

Today is a climax to several months of planning and preparation and was the first check of this magnitude undertaken by Caribbean Airlines. This Heavy Maintenance visit was initially planned for a forty-nine day duration based on experience with ‘C’ Checks accomplished by outsourced vendors. Previously outsourced to maintenance operations in the United States, the in-house ‘C’ check was completed at Caribbean Airlines’ base in Piarco, Trinidad in a record time of forty calendar days at less than 50% of previous cost as would have been incurred, had maintenance continued to be outsourced to foreign maintenance repair organisations.

This ‘C’ Check which consists of a thorough visual inspection of the general condition and security of installations and adjacent structure in designated areas of the airplane, and functional and operational checks to assure continued airworthiness of the aircraft, commenced on May 22 2008. 

Internal areas of the airplane were opened as necessary, for adequate visual inspection, as part of the C check, and mandatory modifications and corrosion prevention and control inspections were also incorporated. In an effort to further enhance customer appeal; several cabin enhancements were also included.

This bold drive by Caribbean Airlines to in-source its 737 major maintenance creates a bright future for aviation in Trinidad and Tobago as well as the wider Caribbean as it is an economical venture and provides for the creation of job opportunities in this highly technical industry.