08.Dec.2009
First PAL A320 D-check concludes ahead of schedule
Philippine Airlines received an Airbus A320 aircraft from Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) after a heavy maintenance check was completed three days ahead of its contracted TAT.
Right after its release, the aircraft immediately entered into service. PAL is now utilizing the A320 to serve its domestic route.
This event is the first of the five A320 heavy maintenance checks in PAL’s campaign which will continue until the end of 2010.
The scope of the heavy check involved compliance of six-year maintenance tasks, cabin refurbishment, out of-phase tasks, scuff sanding and painting. LTP also performed engineering orders with regard to airworthiness directives and service bulletins issued by Airbus.
The contracted turnaround time (TAT) for this check was 30 days but LTP was able to release the aircraft on day 27. Much credit on the shortened TAT is given to the early execution of critical inspection tasks and the outstanding cooperation shown by the teams involved in the event. In preparation for the first heavy check on a PAL A320 aircraft, all concerned groups—Aircraft Overhaul, Aircraft Maintenance, Material Management and Engine and Component Overhaul departments—started their preparations early this year, giving weight to the review of tools and materials essential to the heavy check.
With almost 10 years of experience in providing maintenance to the A320 family, LTP has solid expertise in handling this type of aircraft. LTP has been performing A-checks and C-checks on PAL’s A320s since year 2000. LTP has carried out heavy maintenance check on the A320 aircraft of Lufthansa German Airlines, Jetstar Airways and Vladivostok.
Aside from experience, this heavy check also benefited from the exemplary collaboration within the Lufthansa Technik network. A Senior Project Manager from Lufthansa Technik Budapest assumed the role of an onsite consultant and provided the needed technical expertise for the layover. Prior to this event, Shannon Aerospace used to perform heavy maintenance checks on the A320 fleet of PAL, which now consists of 22 aircraft. To serve its key customer fully, LTP built its A320 D-check capability and dedicated one line that can accommodate up to two A320 aircraft. As stated by Pearlie Martina Rubio, Key Accounts Manager, this is a decision made by the LTP Board of Directors to support the growing A320 fleet of Philippine Airlines. With the expansion of its capability, LTP now offers complete maintenance and overhaul services for the Airbus family of aircraft to the customers.