Lufthansa Technik (LHT) is at the show aiming to broaden its Asian customer base after sinking significant investment into its Beijing-based Ameco joint venture with Air China.
The German MRO-specialist is meanwhile eyeing indigenous Chinese programmes such as the Comac ARJ21 regional jet and C919 narrowbody, as well as honing its plans to support Asian A380 operators.
LHT's decision two years ago to commit to Ameco for a further two decades "sends a clear signal that we are looking to grow that partnership", says LHT vice president marketing and sales Wolfgang Weynell.
"A lot of investments have been done and now we have to extend the customer base to justify all of these investments," he adds.
In addition to Ameco, which performs heavy checks on Lufthansa's Boeing 747-400s, LHT has a joint venture with MacroAsia in the Philippines, which overhauls most of the German flag-carrier's A330s and A340s. It also has a component repair venture in Kuala Lumper, Malaysia, called Airfoil Services.
"As a very active MRO partner for customers in the region, for us it's a must to show our presence [at Asian Aerospace], to be available for existing and potential customers," says Weynell.
Ameco has already constructed a four-bay hangar in Beijing capable of accomodating A380s, but is yet to make a decision on when to start offering maintenance to Asian operators.
"Ameco has the hangars for the A380 already in place," says Weynell. "That is on the way. It depends what is the right time to start. I think the investment proves that there are some serious thoughts in that direction."
The development of the ARJ21 and 919 could also present interesting opportunities for Ameco and LHT if these types prove successful in the export market, says Weynell.
"So far we haven't made up our minds about that. It's a really a question about market success later on. We are absolutely open," he says.
LHT is seeking additional support deals for Asia's growing band of low-cost carriers, some of which are expanding rapidly.
"We are in very intense discussions with some of them at the moment," says Weynell. "We are in the final stages."
Source: Flight Daily News
