AIR FRANCE DGI VISIT
Introduction
At the core of Air France's operations, the General Industrial Division (DGI) plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of the airline's fleet. Tasked with maintenance and engineering, the DGI is a key component of the operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness of the Air France-KLM Group.
A Central Hub for Aircraft Maintenance
The DGI encompasses all of Air France’s industrial activities and is responsible for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft and their components. This includes:
Line maintenance: short and immediate interventions between flights.
Base maintenance: heavy and scheduled checks, sometimes spanning several weeks.
Technical support: engineering, configuration management, and technical documentation.
Engine and component maintenance: carried out in specialized, high-tech workshops.
With several facilities in France — notably at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Toulouse — the DGI employs thousands of highly skilled technicians, engineers, and logisticians.
During today's visit we will discover in particular the activity within the H1 pole, which covers the maintenance of Boeing 777 aircraft of all types.
Air France’s H1 Hangar, The Center of Boeing 777 Maintenance
Introduction
Within Air France’s General Industrial Division (DGI), each site plays a specialized role. Among them, the H1 hangar, located at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, is a cornerstone of heavy maintenance operations for the airline’s Boeing 777 fleet. This flagship facility symbolizes technical excellence, innovation, and the safety-first culture that defines modern aviation.
A High-Capacity Technical Hub
The H1 hangar is one of the largest and most advanced facilities within the DGI. Purpose-built to accommodate multiple wide-body aircraft simultaneously, it is specifically designed for base maintenance (also called heavy maintenance) of Boeing 777s — the backbone of Air France's long-haul operations.
The hangar supports a wide range of complex maintenance tasks, including:
C and D checks, which involve deep structural and system inspections,
Structural control and inspections of the fuselage, wings, and tailplane,
Avionics upgrades and system replacements,
Cabin refurbishments and configuration changes.
Depending on the scope, these interventions can last from several days to a few weeks.
A Boeing 777 Expertise Center
With over 60 Boeing 777 aircraft in its fleet (including 200ER, 300ER, and freighter variants), Air France has developed deep technical expertise on this aircraft type. The workforce in the H1 hangar — engineers, technicians, and logisticians — are trained in the specific systems and technologies of the 777: advanced hydraulics, fly-by-wire flight controls, GE90 engines, and more.
This expertise is maintained through:
Ongoing certified training programs,
Strict adherence to EASA Part 145 quality standards,
Continuous collaboration with Boeing and MRO partners.
High Technical Capacity Hub & Commitment to Sustainability
Precision Logistics and Planning
Operations at H1 rely on meticulous planning and logistics: specific tooling, certified parts, up-to-date documentation, and qualified personnel must be coordinated seamlessly. Every maintenance project is scheduled and tracked precisely to ensure aircraft return to service on time, minimizing operational disruption.
In line with Air France’s environmental goals, the H1 hangar integrates sustainable practices, including:
Energy efficiency through LED lighting and optimized building insulation,
Waste sorting and recycling of industrial materials,
Eco-responsible maintenance methods, reducing solvent use and promoting fluid recovery and reuse
Innovation and Digitalization
The H1 hangar is equipped with state-of-the-art tools and systems that support digital transformation:
Maintenance tablets and digital technical documentation for real-time work management,
Connected sensors to monitor operational parameters during checks,
A predictive maintenance solution that uses big data to anticipate component failures before they happen.
These innovations contribute to faster, safer, and more cost-efficient maintenance operations.
These innovations contribute to faster, safer, and more cost-efficient maintenance operations.
Conclusion
Air France's H1 hangar is much more than a maintenance center: it is a center of precision, innovation and industrial performance, dedicated to the maintenance of one of the most vital aircraft in the company's fleet: the Boeing 777. Thanks to its highly qualified teams, its cutting-edge technology and its commitment to safety and sustainable development, the H1 hangar illustrates Air France's ability to make technical operations a true asset of reliability and excellence.
I would like to particularly thank the Air France DGI personnel for their accessibility and kindness, without their accreditations and trhust, this visit and some photos would not have been possible !
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