AirAsia X signs maintenance deal with Lufthansa Technik Philippines

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KUCHING: AirAsia X, the world’s first successful low-cost long-haul airline, yesterday appointed Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) as its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: AirAsia X’s director of Flight Operations Azhanudin Azman, (fourth left), Wiener-Silva (sixth left), Anaz (seventh left), LTP executive board chairman August Wilhelm Henningsen (eight left) with AirAsia flight attendants and Lufthansa Technik Philippines crew pose for a photo session after signing of the agreement.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: AirAsia X’s director of Flight Operations Azhanudin Azman, (fourth left), Wiener-Silva (sixth left), Anaz (seventh left), LTP executive board chairman August Wilhelm Henningsen (eight left) with AirAsia flight attendants and Lufthansa Technik Philippines crew pose for a photo session after signing of the agreement.

Both parties signed an agreement in Singapore for LTP to provide MRO services for AirAsia X’s fleet of eight Airbus aircraft which comprised A330s and A340s for three years beginning March 2010. LTP’s facility in Manila would provide the services.

AirAsia Bhd (AirAsia) in a press statement yesterday said the appointment of LTP was in line with AirAsia X’s commitment to secure only the best services to ensure safety in its flight operations.

LTP is a subsidiary of Hamburg-based Lufthansa Technik AG, the largest MRO provider in the world while AirAsia X is an affiliate of short-haul carrier AirAsia, Asia’s leading and largest low-cost airline.

Under the agreement, LTP would provide the MRO services for the first year of the contract including four C-checks and a heavy maintenance check.

Further, LTP would also carry out several cabin retrofit tasks to comply with AirAsia X’s new premium and economy seating specifications.

AirAsia X’s head of Engineering Anaz Ahmad Tajuddin said, “AirAsia X’s partnership with one of the world’s leading aircraft MRO providers allows us to tap proven expertise and invaluable experience in this aspect of aircraft operations. At AirAsia, flight safety is our priority, and we are committed to maintaining global standards in flight operations. With LTP on board to provide us expert MRO services, we are able to continue to provide safe flights as well as ensure that our aircraft are kept in an optimum condition.

“This leads to cost-efficiency and AirAsia’s ability to continue to offer super low fares,” Anaz said.

LTP’s Marketing and Sales vice president Wiener-Silva said, “We are pleased to welcome AirAsia X to our facility.  LTP is fully committed to deliver results in terms of short and reliable turnaround time and cost predictability.  We certainly look forward to a long-term partnership with one of the fastest growing airline operators in Asia today.”

Earlier last month, an AirAsia X A340 successfully underwent a 40-hour layover involving a main landing gear seal change at the LTP facility in Manila.

LTP has gained airline customers from across the globe and continues to welcome bigger names in the industry with its specialisation in heavy maintenance checks for A320, A330 and A340 aircraft.

The MRO facility is able to respond to the needs of its customers with its wide spectrum of services that cater to different customer demands whether legacy or low-cost carriers.

The entry of yet another low-cost no-frills operator like AirAsia X signifies the flexibility of LTP to adapt to varied aircraft maintenance requirements.