Lufthansa Technik (LHT) is adding a third VIP aircraft completion line at its Hamburg completion centre to cope with growing demand.
Five customised aircraft are to be delivered this year, rising to six next year. Sales for 2000 are expected to total DM150 million ($73 million). LHT, an approved completion centre for Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) and Airbus A319 corporate jets, plans to add a third aircraft type by 2003. LHT says 120 extra staff will be taken on by the end of next year.
Meanwhile, the company has completed its first installation of Airshow's international airborne television system, on a BBJ for a European customer. The system, which features Datron's airborne satellite TV antenna, is capable of receiving broadcasts during international flights. Airshow TV International was installed on the first aircraft, a Gulfstream IV for a US customer, late last year.
The 737 was equipped at LHT's Hamburg centre with an antenna capable of digitally processing TV signals from "all satellite systems", it says. Passengers are able to choose from up to 400 digital channels. "The only limitation is that over large stretches of water no signal is available from present-day satellite systems," says LHT. "However, plans are afoot to overcome this," it adds. The company claims to have already secured "numerous orders" for the live TV system.
Source: Flight International
