Aircraft cleaning service providers are in expansion mode, while the challenges stand before them include adhering to ground time schedule, sharpening cleaning task time, developing customised specialty services and weather conditions, writes Sreenivasa Rao Dasari.

The significant growth in number of air travelers visiting the Gulf region, particularly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, is propelling airlines to expand their fleets by adding more number of aircraft. This demand push is creating a larger requirement for cleaning services in the region. The massive expansion of airports and airline fleets in the Middle East region is enlarging the scope of business opportunities for aircraft cleaning service providers and manufacturers of cleaning chemicals and solutions.

Go Aviation Middle East sees an increased demand from VIP, VVIP and commercial segments for its services. The UAE-based aircraft cleaning company has formed a cooperation with Almadion International LLC to utilize products that Almadion distributes. Go Aviation is currently offering aircraft cleaning services to commercial airlines, cargo airlines and VIP /VVIP clients.

Dennis Cruz, President of Go Aviation Middle East, said, “We have received great feedback on our work from our customers. We have had one customer fly their aircraft all the way to Dubai from Jeddah just for Go Aviation to clean the plane.” Go Aviation also takes pride in using only the top of the line approved products for every aircraft they work on. “We take great care when selecting industry approved cleaning chemicals and solutions. For instance, we use Granitize and Xzilon sealants and Rhoba-Chemie dry wash products for VIP aircraft cleaning and maintenance,” says Cruz.

Distributers of cleaning products and solutions, such as Almadion, are upbeat on the growing demand in the Gulf region. Almadion is a Swiss managed company and that is enhancing its market share as a distributor and preferred supplier of high quality, environmentally friendly ‘advance cleaning and healthcare technologies.’ Almadion covers the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, and North and East African markets.

Based in Dubai, the CEO of Almadion has been active in international trading and business consultancy in the UAE market for over 15 years. The Almadion business philosophy is rooted in value, synergy and trust.

Andreas Boessow, CEO and Managing Director, Almadion International, said: “We strive to provide our customers only the best quality products and services, rendering maximum value for their investment; finding synergies that are mutually beneficial with our customers and suppliers; and building long term relationship based on professional ethics, technical capability and most of all trust. Almadion’s constant aim is total customer satisfaction and innovative and environmental friendly solutions to meet the changing demands of the market and environment.”

Aircraft cleaning service providers are encouraged by the business prospects as it is projected that the Middle East will handle 400 million air passengers by 2020. Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi airports will have a combined annual capacity of 190 million passengers by 2015, according to an industry study. Hence, many airlines are expanding their fleet to cater to the growing demand of air passengers. As the number of aircraft

is increasing, the demand for cleaning services is booming. Considering the demand in the Gulf region, Go Aviation is expanding their operations.

“Go Aviation is offering aircraft cleaning services at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport. We’ll provide aircraft cleaning services in other emirates and other parts of the Gulf region soon,” adds Cruz.

Airbus predicts the Middle East fleet will triple in size by 2028, while Boeing forecasts regional airlines’ requirement of 2,340 aircraft by 2029. By 2020, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad will have the capacity to carry nearly 200 million passengers: four times their current capacity.

Weather conditions

However, along with the growing demand, airlines also face Gulf-specific challenges as salt and moisture lead to corrosion if aircraft are not kept clean.

Elaborating on the challenges being faced by the industry, Cruz says, “The problem is that dust and sand get into engines and contaminate the parts. Our specialized services and chemicals cleanse the equipment and parts of the engine during our compressor wash servicing. These services are ideal for Gulf weather conditions. Another challenge is being new to the Gulf market. We got up to speed quickly by bringing highly experienced and trained staff from the USA.”

Speciality services

There is a demand for more specialty cleaning services, products and solutions. Almadion’s product portfolio covers multitude of applications, including aviation cleaning and MRO solutions, soft cleaning products for exquisite edifices e.g. hotels and entertainment buildings, applications for structures requiring high level of sanitation (hospitals, laboratories and clinics), and products suitable for high-end marine environment.

“We see demand for industrial cleaning and disinfection, for potable water tanks, entire building piping systems, cooling towers, as well heat exchangers performance improvements, marine vessels and offshore drilling platforms, which dictates Almadion’s future expansion plans,” says Boessow.

Ground time

Professional cleaners should know their way around an aircraft. Otherwise, it would be a cumbersome task to complete the cleanings in tight schedules. Knowledge about the aircraft greatly reduces the down time. There are many factors that contribute to the down time for the cleaning of an aircraft. Outside temperatures and humidity levels can affect the efficacy of the cleaning products, but trained technicians are taught to know what works best in different temperatures and time of day. With summer quickly coming upon us, one has to consider how employees can clean aircraft in the extreme heat.

“We have summer schedules exclusive for the Gulf region. Generally, during this time of year, we do a bulk of our cleaning during the night. But if an aircraft needs cleaning during the daytime, we provide the requested service, as we provide all services 24/7/365. Our appearance technicians carry hydration packs while working to stay hydrated,” explains Cruz. “It is necessary to rotate the technicians and give adequate breaks so work can continue in the extreme heat.”

According to aviation industry estimates, the Middle East region is going to witness significant growth numbers in fleet expansion plans. Airbus anticipates that Middle East fleet will treble in size by 2028, while Boeing forecasts Middle Eastern airlines’ requirement of 2,340 aircraft by 2029. By 2020, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad will have the capacity to carry nearly 200 million passengers and this is four times their current capacity.

This huge surge in fleet and air passenger numbers will bring the best of expertise and technology in the aircraft cleaning industry that benefits the region and industry as well.

Green way

The aviation industry in the Middle East region is very keen on Green practices. Time is money in the aviation industry. Airlines can’t afford more time for cleaning activity as there wouldn’t be money for the grounding time of aircraft. The company distributes cleaning technologies so called ‘Dry Wash’ that reduce the downtime of aircraft.

“Because there wouldn’t be revenues for aircraft as long as it’s on ground. Moreover, there is no need to seal off or isolate the aircraft during regular exterior washing procedures, and therefore cleaning may be done right where the aircraft is parked even inside the hangar where workers are able to work in ideal working condition especially during the hot summer season,” explains Boessow.

Cruz further adds: “We’re the first one to introduce dry washing in the Gulf market, for which we are also working on a carbon credit program. Many people say a lot about Green practices, but in actual practice it’s not seen.”

Innovative cleaning methodologies

Almadion’s gamut of products includes innovative and environmental-friendly cleaning solutions. The company takes a lot of pride in its latest cleaning technology product ‘Dry Wash’ developed and produced in Germany by Rhoba-Chemie GmbH, a leading manufacturer of ‘aviation approved’ cleaning solutions. rhobaAIR Dry Wash III is cleaning without water. It offers a whole new cleaning concept particularly in aviation with unprecedented benefits e.g. marked improvement in appearance, inhibiting corrosion, surface coating protection from UV exposure, huge cut in fresh water consumption and chemical contaminated wastewater.

Almadion’s latest contribution to cleaning innovation is ‘Bacoban,’ which is a water-based nano-tech formulated long lasting disinfection solution originally intended for use in hospital environment (operating theatres, surgical instruments & fittings, clean room, ICU, ambulance, etc).

“In addition, clients get more out of their investment from Almadion International’s after-sales services, providing professional support in product utility and safety adherence monitoring, training program and user competency certification,” adds Boessow.

Relying on expertise and specialisation

Go Aviation Middle East began its journey in the US and is currently spreading its footprint in the Gulf market. Go Aviation Middle East officially opened its headquarters in Dubai in 2013. “We adapt by balancing the ground time and the Summer scheduling of our crews to offer specialized services during summer as well,” says Dennis Cruz, President of the company.

Aircraft cleaning is one of your several functions. How is this segment doing and contributing to the top line of the company?

Aircraft cleaning is the vast majority of our business, but we have other functions such as engine/compressor washing, which is ramping up quite well.

How do you see the competition and demand in the aircraft cleaning segment?

The Gulf market is the global hub for many different facets in aviation. Therefore, this creates a desire for competitors to enter the market. As aircraft orders are increasing in the Gulf market, the need for aircraft services businesses increases too.

Our specialization, expertise and experience enabled us to tap into the Gulf market. Moreover, it’s our compassion and pursuit of quality that adds value to our service. However, speed and expertise are main components of the cleaning. We respond within 60 minutes once our customer makes a call and we also take into consideration the ground time of the aircraft. 

How can professional cleaning reduce the downtime of the aircraft?

Utilizing a professional and experienced aircraft cleaning company, like Go Aviation, can reduce the downtime of the aircraft because we are capable of turning the aircraft with the required service, equipment and manpower.

How do you manage cleaning tasks during Summer, particularly high temperature in the Gulf region?

The fortunate thing is that everyone in the market has to adapt. We adapt by balancing the ground time and the Summer scheduling of our crews. Also, we make sure our crews are properly hydrated, rested and outfitted for the temperatures.

With the escalating costs, how do you manage pricing factor in the competitive cleaning market?

Escalating costs are definitely a factor, but we have shifted to looking at economies of scale for product ordering and how we schedule our operations. We source materials, chemicals and products in bulk orders to yield savings. We have open-relations with our clients about their budget and expectations so we can then customize our service accordingly.

Since you’re specialized in interior cleaning of aircraft, how do you see demand in this segment?

Interior cleaning is only one of our specialties. We provide both dry and wet carpet cleaning, deep cleaning and conditioning of leather seats and cockpit detailing to name a few other interior services. Being aircraft appearance specialists, we have found that all of our services are in demand for the interior and exterior of the aircraft.

Recently, you have introduced dry washing for aircraft cleaning. Could you throw light on costs, carbon credits and other benefits?

There are many benefits to dry washing that include unmatched results, UV protection, limited downtime, eco-friendliness and many more. We are currently working with our product trading company, Almadion International, on a carbon offset credit program. Definitely expect more regarding that in the near future!

What are the latest technology applications being used in aircraft cleaning?

We are really excited about introducing dry wash services to the Gulf market. We see an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment, while making a big contribution to the local aviation community.

Any expansion or diversification plan on the cards?

There are plenty of opportunities for expansion in the region and to service a broader market. We are weighing our options right now as we have new equipment en transit that will support our next station.

High demand for advanced technology solutions

Dubai-based Almadion’s product portfolio covers multitude of applications including aviation cleaning solutions. We see increasing demand for technology-enabled advanced solutions that reduce the downtime and sanitation of aircraft, says Andreas Boessow, CEO and Managing Director, Almadion International LLC.

How is Almadion International doing in the market in general and Gulf in particular? What types of products are in great demand?

We see the current market demand for industrial cleaning, for potable water tanks, piping system, cooling towers, heat exchangers, marine vessels and in offshore drilling platforms. The demand dynamics and market priorities would dictate Almadion’s future expansion plans.

 You have been in the UAE cleaning industry for over 6 years. How has been the journey so far?

As a supplier of advance cleaning technologies, Almadion’s current activities are broken down into 70 per cent in aviation serving the region’s major players in the commercial airlines, cargo and business jet sectors; 20 per cent in industrial market serving the leading soft and industrial services contractors and building management companies and 10 per cent in electronic payment terminal performance maintenance in the banking and mass transport system like Dubai Metro.

How do you see the competition and demand in the aircraft cleaning segment?

Almadion distinguishes itself from competition by preferring to keep products that are only of the highest quality standard, certified environment friendly and worker safe and aviation approved for the aviation industry

How professional cleaning can reduce the downtime of the aircraft?

Airlines enjoy big savings out of using rhobaAIR Dry Wash III. In the aviation industry, “there is no revenue when the aircraft is on the ground.” This is where DryWash technology proves to be most beneficial and profitable to use due to the fact that rhobaAIR Dry Wash III may be applied simultaneously with other ongoing technical ground work hence huge cuts in ground &hangar time.

You have also presence in other countries. How do you manage cleaning task during summer particularly high temperature in the Gulf region?

This rhobaAIR Dry Wash III had been demonstrated on a Boeing 777 where dry washing was completed saving more than 50,000 litres of water with work completed in just eight hours. Moreover, the cleaning activity can be done where the aircraft is parked inside the hangar also.

With the escalating costs, how do you manage pricing factor in the competitive cleaning market?

Almadion’s business approach is unique such that it treats each client as its partner and kept as an ongoing project, constantly looking for opportunities for customer benefit. One such benefit is keeping the prices down by arranging ex-factory direct-to- client shipment of goods, and signing guaranteed annual supply agreement allowing Almadion to manage lower logistics costs. Savings are in turn shared with the client in terms of price discounts.

What measures Almadion takes for quicker interior cleaning and cockpit detailing?

Due to Bacoban’s effectiveness in guaranteeing long lasting protection, it has created a demand in aircraft cabin application, public areas, Hospitals, clinics, restaurants, and similar establishments thus re-defining its market potential.