Lufthansa Technik has won a wide-ranging service agreement from South African carrier Comair for an on-order fleet of Boeing 737 Max 8 jets.
The long-term contract covers engineering, planning, line maintenance and component support – including the supply of consumables and expendables – says LHT. It adds that the deal includes technical operations management, which integrates "all maintenance, repair and overhaul activities contracted in the agreement into a comprehensive service package".
The German MRO provider asserts the centralised management will deliver savings and "reduced complexity" for Comair, while the airline's in-house engineering and fleet department will continue to oversee all MRO activities.
Comair chief executive Erik Venter states: "The imminent arrival of the 737 Max 8 was an opportunity for us to evaluate our future technical requirements. Lufthansa Technik's experience with the aircraft type and the operational efficiencies we believe we will gain in terms of maintenance turnaround times will enable us to further leverage the benefits of our investment in the new fleet and improve customer service."
The airline is scheduled to receive the first of two of eight on-order 737-8s in January 2019, LHT says.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that Comair has eight 737-400s and nine -800s in service today. The aircraft are being operated under its budget brand, Kulula, and under a franchise agreement with British Airways, with the UK carrier's livery.
LHT's vice-president of corporate sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Robert Gaag, states: "I hope this is the beginning of a long-lasting relationship with Comair."
Source: FlightGlobal.com
