Lufthansa Technik (LHT) has begun training personnel for its new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in the Indian city of Hyderabad while also expanding several of its existing MRO businesses in other parts of Asia.

LHT chief executive product and services Thomas Stuger says courses began on 3 September that will lead to qualifications for technicians and aircraft engineers for the new Hyderabad facility.

A workforce of 500 is envisioned for the MRO base at Hyderabad, which is a joint venture with India's GMR Group and 75%-owned by LHT. GMR is leading a consortium developing an all-new airport for Hyderabad, which is due to open in the first half of next year.

India's air transport market has been growing rapidly and Stuger expects strong demand from new and existing airlines as they grow their fleets.

The new Hyderabad facility is expected to open late in 2008 and it will provide base maintenance for Airbus A320-family and Boeing 737 aircraft types. Two parallel bays are to be built and LHT says more than $20 million is being invested in the hangar and workshops.

LHT is also expanding operations in other parts of Asia, where the group now earns around 15% of total revenues.

The Lufthansa Group's main MRO venture in Asia is Ameco Beijing, which is a partnership with Air China and which is currently undergoing a major expansion.

LHT also has an MRO venture in the Philippines known as Lufthansa Technik Philippines, which supports Philippine Airlines and other carriers. It is due to open a new hangar at the end of September.

At the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, LHT has Lufthansa Technik Shenzhen, which was established in 2000. Stuger says the board is considering proposals to "double the size of the facility".

LHT also has an engine blade repair business in Malaysia called Airfoil Services, which is a joint venture with MTU Aero Engines. It opened a new factory in July.

Lufthansa Technical Training is also expanding operations in Asia, with a new training centre due to open in Singapore next year in co-operation with a local polytechnic.

Source: Flight International

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