There are just under 200 Airbus A340-200/300 aircraft currently in service, a type that has fallen out of favour in recent years due to its use of four engines and the subsequent high fuel prices. However, says Bob James, Managing Director of AerFin, some operators believe it to be the perfect aircraft for their route network; others have committed to the aircraft for the next six to seven years simply due to there being no suitable replacement; there is also a small but developing market for the aircraft in longhaul, high density charter operations. An additional factor worthly of consideration lies in the residual value guarantees given by Airbus when the aircraft was first sold. Klaus-Peter Leinauer, Vice President Commercial Product Management & Sales for the Engine Services division of SRTechnics, adds that his operation has seen increasing requests from customers for a more flexible approach to maintenance of the aircraft's CFM56-5C engines to reduce costs, especially the incorporation of used serviceable material (USM).
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