EasyJet has selected Rubb Group to design, manufacture and construct its top-flight hangar facility at Gatwick Airport, UK.
Europe’s leading airline EasyJet asked Rubb Group to provide a twin span hangar measuring 91.5m wide by 60m long. The structure measures 9.2m to the eaves and 16.8m to apex of each span. Each front gable measures 45.7m wide and features a 41m wide by 13.5m vertical lifting fabric door.
The hot dip galvanised steel frame is clad with 150mm thick Thermohall insulated fabric and the structure is located at Gatwick Airport, near London, UK. The facility will deliver 5,200m² of usable working floor space. A full LED lighting system, ventilation system and LPG heating system will be installed.
To complete the build, two sets of vertical lifting ‘Megadoor’ hangar doors were fitted to allow access to the two A321 bay facility. The hangar is complimented by a 550m² external logistics and office building. Building commenced in November 2015 and the process included fitting 8,700m² of PVC membrane.
Brendan McConnellogue, easyJet’s head of maintenance, commented: “The Rubb team who worked on site were absolutely first class. The first steel went in the ground on 14 December and by 19 May we were able to introduce the first aircraft into the hangar.
“The successful delivery of this project, which has been challenging both in terms of scale and its timeline, is another example of what can be achieved through easyJet’s innovative and lean approach, not only meeting a tight timeline, but also creating strong sustainable partnerships to deliver market-leading operational performance.”
Ian Hindmoor, Rubb Group managing director, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the easyJet hangar facility at LGW. We are very proud of this flagship aviation building and of what we have produced and delivered in a challenging and complicated working environment, in such a short space of time.
“Rubb worked very closely with Brendan McConnellogue and the easyJet team to produce an outstanding, custom, UK designed, manufactured and constructed Rubb MRO hangar.
“From early discussions to competitive tender, design, manufacture, site setup and enablement, groundworks, steel-erection, fabric installation, through to completion, EasyJet were very professional and proactive in working with all concerned to deliver a world-class working environment.”
Lufthansa Technik was selected to provide maintenance services at the facility and a groundbreaking five-year contract has been signed, which will see Lufthansa Technik opening its first UK hangar based operation. The on-site team will deliver two inputs every night, seven days a week and provide AOG hangar support as required.