Lutz Takes Charge at Vostok Services

Martin Lutz has been appointed the new CEO at Lufthansa Technik Vostok Services. He replaces Andreas van de Kuil, who has been in that position since  2015.

Lutz was previously demand manager at Lufthansa Technik in Munich and moves to Lufthansa Technik Vostok Services in Moscow, with effect from 25 September.

“In Martin Lutz, we have found an experienced manager, whose duties to date equip him ideally for this task, in particular his work in the fields of strategic sales forecast controlling and customer management. He is sure to continue the work of Andreas van de Kuil seamlessly,” said Dmitri Zaitsev, vice president corporate sales
Eastern Europe & CIS.

Lufthansa Technik Vostok Services provides comprehensive material and component services for customers in Russia. In the event of unplanned technical faults (Aircraft on Ground, AOG), customers are supported by Russian and English-speaking personnel on site.

Lufthansa Technik Diversifies to Dominate MRO Sector

By Andrew Drwiega

Hamburg, Germany: At the annual press conference today, Dr Johannes Bussman, CEO and chairman of the executive board at Lufthansa Technik said that his company intended to continue its growth through its policy of internationalization witnessed by the increase in revenue from non-group companies. Bussman justified his claim that Lufthansa Technik was the global market leader in terms of market share stating: “we have around  eight percent in total:  13 percent in Europe, five percent in Asia, and four percent in the USA.

Sales revenues increased in 2016 to €5.14 billion from €5.09 billion despite a decline in revenue within the Lufthansa group from €1.8 billion in 2015 to €1.6 billion last year (a 12 percent drop), which Bussman said was the result of the completion of the Lufthansa wide-body fleet modernisation. However external revenues increased during the same period from €3.3 billion to €3.5 billion. “We consider this to be a very good result,” stated Bussman.

Revenue in the American market grew 14 percent to €900 million and in Asia revenue grew to €600 million, a 23 percent increase.

“A decline in sales with Lufthansa was compensated by growth with other customers,” said Bussman. Below average growth in Europe was also more than balanced by an increase in regional growth in Asia, where a new aircraft overhaul facility in Manila, Philippines, will serve many countries from around the region.  The expansion of the global logistics network with warehouses in London, Hong Kong, the USA, Dusseldorf and Munich were also complimented by new component companies in Asia and the Middle East.

Bussman said that the closure of the last remaining commercial overhaul line in Hamburg would result in the loss of 300 jobs, although most would find employment within the group or be offered early redundancy. “There are overcapacities in the European market and we could not find an economically viable solution,” said Bussman.

One of the challenges to internationalisation was the requirement to be close to customers to save them time and money, Bussman said.  He  pointed to recent strategic partnerships agreed with companies that include: CFM (Leap), GE XEOS, Pratt & Whitney (GTF), MTU Aero (GTF) and Rolls Royce (XWB). Regarding future planned takeovers or partnerships Bussman stated: “We have the economic clout to invest in new technologies.” When asked to explain more he said that there would always be  an opportunity for further development: “We already have a critical mass with 4,000 aircraft being supported. But as others move into new technologies, some cannot cope financially and technically.”

And what of the future? “Data will determine the future of our business to a large extent. Not just the task of its collection, but the need to sort and analyseit then translate it into workable MRO programmes. At the end it needs to translate into more flying hours.” To that end  Lufthansa Technik is founding a brand new division, Digital Fleet Solutions, to investigate and deliver solutions on the best use of digital data.

 

 

Lufthansa Technik Middle East Begins Operations at Dubai South

Lufthansa Technik Middle East (LTME) has started its MRO services in the aviation district at Dubai South with the arrival for repair of the first component, a GE90 engine inlet cowl from Etihad Airways.

“We are extremely proud to be the first company to begin operations at the newly opened aerospace supply chain in the Dubai South aviation district,” said Ziad Al Hazmi, CEO LTME. “Having a key presence in the aviation district has put us in a prime position as a leader in the aerospace supply chain sphere. And the arrival of the GE90 inlet cowl from such a well-known
customer such as Etihad demonstrates that our decision to invest here has been right. I am sure, that our growing list of technical
services, including our Airframe Related Component (ARC) portfolio, AOG (aircraft-on-ground) support, landing gear and engine services and our local material support desk will also convince other customers to trust in our technical expertise.”

Ahmed Al Ansari, acting CEO, Dubai South said that the area was a “first-of-its kind facility designed to offer companies, in the MRO and aerospace industry, a multi-advantage edge given our strategic location and the synergistic aviation ecosystem that we are building.”

The current LTME site at Dubai International Airport will be kept operational.

Lufthansa Technik Completes First Lufthansa A350-900 Cabin Installation

Lufthansa Technik has completed the required cabin installations on the first Lufthansa Airbus A350-900 and received the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) allowing the aircraft to enter scheduled service.

“A total of 20 employees from our team worked with colleagues from Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt on the aircraft over the past three
weeks,” explained Sven Pawliska, head of long-haul aircraft maintenance at Lufthansa Technik. “The installation of the premium economy class and new self-service racks in the business class were among the upgrades that are most visible to passengers.”

Engineers from Lufthansa Technik’s Munich and Frankfurt offices were involved. Over 1,700 hours were logged in completing the work.

Lufthansa Technik launches Smart Lifecycle Program for VIP Aircraft

Lufthansa Technik has launched its Smart Lifecycle Program, a cost per-flight-hour service for VIP and special mission aircraft customers. The company has developed a holistic and integrative smart service which can be used for a customer individual ‘charges-by-the-hour’ service program*.

Smart Lifecycle Program covers and integrates the full scope of technical services along the life cycle of Boeing or Airbus VIP or special mission aircraft in one application.

Depending on the specific customer needs, the new service can cover all relevant tasks from scheduled maintenance, CAMO & engineering services, wear and tear cabin interior works, as well as personal  assignment. Based on Lufthansa Technik’s comprehensive experience and broad capabilities, customers can also integrate a Total Component Support (TCS) or even build maintenance reserves for any sort of major cabin modification or aircraft system upgrades – all for an elementary, monthly flight-hour fee.

“The Smart Lifecycle Program demonstrates Lufthansa Technik’s real one-stop shop ability, said Walter Heerdt, senior vice president of VIP & Special Mission Aircraft Services. “With our new approach, we
are able to provide a comprehensive service program to our customers, which suits perfectly to their aircraft and individual flight operation needs.”

*Services and/or support may be provided by Lufthansa Technik or its subsidiaries or affiliates or third party as designated by Lufthansa Technik. Certain exclusions apply.