Boeing

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, July 03, 2008 -- Boeing Australia Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has become the company's first certified U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) repair station outside the United States.

The FAA Type 145 repair certificate authorizes Boeing facilities at Amberley and Eagle Farm in Queensland to perform maintenance and airframe/engine repairs on Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft and the model's military derivatives.

Boeing Australia Limited President David Withers said FAA repair station certification is a major achievement for the company and its future growth across both military and commercial aviation industries.

"There is no other company in the Asia-Pacific region with the certification to perform this type of repair work. We are the region's one-stop shop for Boeing Next-Generation 737 on-wing and off-wing maintenance repairs," he said.

Withers added that FAA certification allows Boeing Australia Limited, from its Eagle Farm hangar, to perform heavy maintenance on 737s flown in the Asia-Pacific region by international airlines operating out of the United States.

"We will also have the mobility to perform line maintenance on 737s when and where Boeing's customers need it," he said.

The company achieved FAA certification ahead of schedule: It completed the process, which included a formal application, documentation phase and demonstration site audit, in just over a year.

The site audit reviewed the 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control modification work being done under Project Wedgetail and the maintenance performed on privately owned Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft at Amberley.

"The FAA labeled our certification as the 'gold star' for the Asia-Pacific region, which, given the short time frame, is a real testament to our in-country capability and our pursuit of excellence," Withers said. "Special thanks should be given to those Boeing employees, particularly FAA Project Manager Joe Urli, who applied their energy and talent toward achieving this world-class certification.

"This milestone is a credit to their dedication and constant desire to improve the processes that have made Boeing Australia Limited the region's leading aerospace company."

The FAA uses the Type 145 certification process to determine if a repair station has the equipment, personnel, manufacturers' maintenance instructions and inspection systems to ensure aircraft repairs are completed to U.S. aviation standards.