An expanded aircraft parking area, jointly developed by Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) at Mactan, Cebu, was recently opened, providing additional space for LTP's maintenance operations at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The 1.2- hectare aircraft parking area is intended to provide additional support to the existing fleet of Air Philippines, PAL and its low-fares unit, PAL Express. It is anticipated that the area will be put into good use when PAL sees delivery of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft by the fourth quarter of 2009. With the incoming B777-300 fleet of PAL, licensed mechanics, as well as tools and support equipments will eventually be deployed at the expanded facility.

Aside from the intended parking use, the expanded maintenance area will enable LTP to perform minor aircraft repairs and maintenance work.

The developed lot lies next to LTP’s 1.4-hectare maintenance hangar where PAL’s Airbus A320s and A319s are routinely checked by more than 50 LTP mechanics headed by Antonio Loquellano, Jr., Manager for Aircraft Maintenance, Line Maintenance Southern Philippines.

The opening ceremony for this joint project between PAL and LTP was attended by PAL Deputy Chief Executive Officer Henry So Uy, PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista, PAL Senior Vice President for Operations Captain Beda Badiola, PAL Vice President for Airport Services Department Francisco Yngente IV, LTP President and Chief Executive Officer Bernhard Krueger-Sprengel, LTP Senior Vice President and Chief Finance Officer Edison M. Que, LTP Vice President for Aircraft Maintenance Anno Schneider, and LTP Vice President for Marketing and Sales Dominik Wiener-Silva.

MCIAA General Manager Danilo Augusto Francia, together with MCIAA Board of Directors and department heads, were also present during the ceremony.