MRO provider predicts maintenance of ultra-large airliner will be pooled by operators as they aim to cut costs
German maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider Lufthansa Technik (LHT) is finalising its strategy to capture third-party contracts for the Airbus A380 ultra-large airliner.
The Hamburg-based company aims to win contracts from airlines lacking in-house maintenance capability in the areas of engine overhaul, component repair and, eventually, heavy maintenance. The company also foresees Star Alliance and non-aligned carriers pooling line maintenance to cut costs.
August Wilhelm Henningsen, LHT chairman, says: "Globally, there will be a strong demand for co-operation among A380 carriers, especially if we all fly to the same hubs, and I would imagine we will support each other rather than have our own personnel." These line-maintenance sharing efforts are likely to followStar Alliance lines. Singapore Airlines' (SIA) Changhi base and Thai International Airlines' Bangkok facilities are potential initial trial sites, LHT says.
LHT signed a memorandum of understanding with Air France Industries in May to create a joint A380 component support company, sharing logistics and repair stations from 2008. LHT is also well advanced in its N3 Engine Overhaul Services joint venture with Rolls-Royce to service the Trent 900 engines expected to power around half the A380s ordered. Locations for both ventures will be announced by the end of this year.
SIA and Qantas have also held talks on pooling maintenance and training provision for the A380 (Flight International, 31 August-6 September).
Henningsen says LHT wants to position itself as the first MRO provider to be ready for the A380. "Because Lufthansa airline has ordered 15 aircraft, it will be one of the largest operators and a service need will have been established and we will acquire lots of knowledge so we're well positioned to service third parties." The company is involved in defining repair procedures for the aircraft with Airbus.
A380 suppliers including Diehl and Thales earlier this year signalled their intention to establish a component support team to rival the as-yet unnamed AF-LHT venture. LHT has also begun planning for the aircraft's first D checks, not scheduled until around 2012, by reserving land at its Frankfurt Main airport base for the heavy maintenance of A380s.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / HAMBURG
Source: Flight International
