09.Dec.2009
Lufthansa Technik Philippines performs 100th A330/A340 heavy maintenance check
Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) further advances its position as one of the leading providers of overhaul for Airbus aircraft worldwide when it recently started work on its 100th heavy maintenance check on an Airbus A340.
Since the introduction of its overhaul capability on the Airbus A330/A340 in 2002, LTP has steadily grown its customer base that includes operators from Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America. Customers trust LTP to provide Lufthansa Technik quality of service at competitive rates. Among its customers are Air Mauritius, Cathay Pacific Airways, ILFC, Philippine Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
“Lufthansa Technik Philippines is a prime example for successful international cooperation. Together with our partners from MacroAsia Corporation, we have established a worldwide acknowledged center for excellence for overhaul services of the Airbus A330/A340 family over the past years. The 100th heavy check shows that LTP is well-positioned in the market,” remarked August Wilhelm Henningsen, Lufthansa Technik AG Chairman of the Board, a few days after LTP received the Lufthansa German Airlines Airbus A340. “Due to its good reputation and high quality work Lufthansa Technik Philippines is one of the cornerstones of the Lufthansa Technik Group.”
“The expertise that we have developed through the years on the A330/A340 aircraft has enabled us to reach this achievement,” said Bernhard Krueger Sprengel, LTP President and CEO. “It is because of our strong focus on the aircraft type and commitment to quality and fast turnaround time that we are able to convince old and new customers to put their trust in us,” he continued.
The company’s commitment to quality and fast turnaround time (TAT) serves as a challenge, which pushes LTP towards constant improvement. In 2007, LTP adopted LEAN principles in its overhaul operations resulting in significant reductions in TATs.
Together with Airbus, LTP was also able to perform frame 47 modification incorporated to a heavy check on a number of A340-600s. It was in LTP that this critical modification was first performed outside of an Airbus facility, further raising the bar in A330/A340 heavy maintenance. Through the adoption of LEAN practices, LTP was not only successful in integrating the modification but was also able to reduce the Frame 47 modification TAT to only nine days.
LTP is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG (LHT) and MacroAsia Corporation, with LHT holding the majority interests. LTP’s main facility, located in Manila’s Ninoy International Airport, has a two-line heavy maintenance hangar exclusively utilized for the A330/A340 family. A new bay was added in 2007 which can accommodate a widebody aircraft for base maintenance check. In total, LTP now operates three heavy maintenance lines in parallel.
It has an extensive line and base maintenance approval from major aviation authorities including the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Europe’s EASA. LTP is certified by the EASA to perform all kinds of maintenance work on the latest Airbus aircraft of the A340-familiy, the A340-600. LTP’s workforce of 2,800 comprises of highly skilled English-speaking mechanics, engineers and support personnel. Through a partnership with Lufthansa Technical Training Philippines (LTTP), LTP mechanics are certified through EASA part 66- compliant courses.