Lufthansa Technik has won a deal to fit several Boeing 747-8s with Ka-band antennae and interior equipment for broadband internet access.
The customer's name and number of aircraft have not been disclosed.
LHT says it will modify the aircraft "from 2018 onwards" and that it will be the first MRO provider to fit the equipment to 747-8s.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the 747-8 in-service fleet comprises 36 passenger jets, 75 freighters and five VIP aircraft.
Air China, Korean Air and Lufthansa are the sole operators of the passenger variant – with seven, 10 and 19 aircraft, respectively. There are no further orders for the 747-8's passenger version today
Qatar's government has two 747-8 BBJs, while the remaining VIP aircraft are operated as single units by their owners.
LHT notes it is currently fitting Airbus A320-family aircraft with the Ka-band equipment for its parent group's carriers, and that its supplemental type certificate for the modification spans A330s, A340s and Boeing 737s too.
The equipment installation takes up to four days, the MRO provider says.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
