Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines had a ceremonial placement of the cornerstone for their new joint venture EME Aero in Jasionka, Poland. This act symbolically launches this large, advanced GTF MRO service center. Pratt & Whitney GTF engines power five regional and narrowbody aircraft platforms, with the A220 and the A320neo family from Airbus and the Embraer E190-E2 already in commercial service. The total investment for the service center is 150 million euros by 2020. Plans are to have the 40,000 square meter facility up and running by the end of 2019.
“This joint venture is an important step for Lufthansa Technik and our partner MTU in expanding our respective engine maintenance businesses,” says Dr. Johannes Bußmann, CEO of Lufthansa Technik. “That is why this laying of the foundation stone marks an important day, as EME Aero will enable both companies to provide technical support for one of the world’s most important aircraft engines.”
Michael Schreyögg, chief program officer at MTU Aero Engines explains: “Above all, one factor is driving growth in our industry: more passengers are in the air. Year on year, we see flight hour growth rates of more than six percent. The Geared Turbofan engine family will serve this growth. It is one of the most advanced propulsion systems in the market and plays an important role in MTU’s commercial aircraft business – from an OEM as well as from a maintenance perspective. MTU Aero Engines is looking forward to run on of the world’s most efficient maintenance shops for GTF engines and master the upcoming high volume together with Lufthansa Technik. Alongside our subsidiary MTU Aero Engines Polska in the immediate vicinity, this step is part of MTU’s global ramp-up plan.”
Construction at the site began in mid-June this year. The area has already been leveled and 60,000 cubic meters of soil have been moved. The building platform is almost complete and foundation work has begun. The construction site for EME Aero service center consists of about 160,000 square meters; this corresponds to approximately 23 football fields. The construction of the facility, including an advanced test cell, will be completed by the end of 2019.
“The foundation stone laying ceremony marks the beginning of the transition from plan to reality. The building is growing daily,” said Derrick Siebert, managing director of Business (CEO) and Board Member, EME Aero. “Two global aviation industry leaders – Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines – are creating a world-leading aircraft engine service center for the PW1000G engine family. EME Aero is investing in the Podkarpackie region in Poland, joining the ever-growing aviation industry in the area – a clear commitment to the region as an attractive place for business and investment. Today, EME Aero not only lays the foundation stone for the new MRO service center, the company also paves the way for the most advanced technologies, world-class solutions as well as the highest standards of quality and safety,” adds Siebert.
“I am delighted that EME Aero is located in Podkarpackie, a region with deep aviation traditions. Here, we can count on qualified employees, a favorable aviation-oriented business environment and university centers and schools for both mechanics and aviation specialists. Our facility will be equipped with the most advanced disassembly, assembly and testing system, which will enable extremely efficient flow line processes,” says Dr. Uwe Zachau, managing director of Operations (COO) and Board Member, EME Aero.
About 70 employees are already on board at EME Aero, with a total of 1,000 new anticipated to be created. The company is investing several million euros in staff training, which will take place in the newly built training center in Jasionka. Each training course will cover a period of several months and combine theory at the center with practical experience at Lufthansa Technik and MTU. The training center will open its doors at the beginning of October.