The Sultan of Oman has ordered a Boeing 747-400 for delivery in 2002 as a head-of-state aircraft. The sale is listed in Boeing's firm order backlog as having been made to an undisclosed customer.
Lufthansa Technik (LHT)has scooped a contract worth nearly $300 million to handle all phases of the acquisition, including aircraft specification, production supervision, modification and completion. Completion will be performed at the German company's Hamburg centre, with the aircraft due to be handed over by the end of 2003.
LHT confirms it has received a "major order from a Middle East head of state", but declines to comment on the customer's identity. Industry sources, however, confirm the buyer is the Omani Government.
"We are probably the only provider in the world able to deliver a turnkey project of this magnitude," says LHT senior vice- president marketing and sales Jürgen Wilken.
The 747 will be fitted with sleeping quarters, a conference room, work areas, the latest entertainment and communication systems and state-of-the-art medical facilities, says LHT. Also under negotiation is a multi-year technical support contract for the aircraft.
LHT is already responsible for maintaining the Sultan of Oman's existing fleet of two Pratt & Whitney JT9D-powered 747SPs.
LHT recently won a contract from the UAE's Amiri Flight to modify to a VIP configuration a 747-400 built for, but never delivered to, Philippine Airlines.
Source: Flight International
