Page 16 - MRO Business Today 15th April 2023 Latest Issue

AGREEMENTS

Airbus signs new Lufthansa Technik

cooperation agreements AERO Alzey to support

PW127engines
in China powering Loganair ATR

Airbus also signed a General Terms of Agreement (GTA) 42/72 aircraft
with the China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS),
covering the purchase of 160 Airbus commercial aircraft. The agreement will enable Lufthansa
Technik AERO Alzey to exclusively per-
irbus has signed new cooperation agreements with Chinese avia- form repair and overhaul services on
Ation industry partners during a French state visit to China, mark- the PW127E/F/M engines that power
ing a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between Loganair’s ATR 42/72 aircraft.
the two countries. In addition, Airbus also signed a General Terms of
Agreement (GTA) with the China Aviation Supplies Holding Company
(CAS), covering the purchase of 160 Airbus commercial aircraft, re-
flecting the strong demand in all market segments by Chinese carriers.
Over the next 20 years, China’s air traffic is forecast to grow at 5.3%
annually, significantly faster than the world average of 3.6%, lead-
ing to a demand for 8,420 passenger and freighter aircraft between
now and 2041, representing more than 20 percent of the world’s total
demand for around 39,500 new aircraft in the next 20 years.
At the signing ceremony, witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping
and French President Emmanuel Macron, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury
signed an agreement with Tianjin Free Trade Zone Investment Compa- ufthansa Technik AERO Alzey, a leading
ny Ltd. and Aviation Industry Corporation of China Ltd. to expand A320 Lprovider of engine maintenance, repair, and
Family final assembly capacity with a second line at its Tianjin site. overhaul services, has signed a five-year con-
This agreement will contribute to Airbus’ overall rate objective of 75 tract with Loganair, the largest regional airline
aircraft per month in 2026 throughout its global production network. in the United Kingdom. The agreement, which
“We are honoured to continue our long-standing cooperation by was finalized in February 2023, will enable
supporting China’s civil aviation growth with our leading families of Lufthansa Technik AERO Alzey to exclusively
aircraft. It underpins the positive recovery momentum and prosper- perform repair and overhaul services on the
ous outlook for the Chinese aviation market and the desire to grow PW127E/F/M engines that power Loganair’s ATR
sustainably with Airbus’ latest generation, eco-efficient aircraft,” said 42/72 aircraft, with the possibility of adding
Guillaume Faury, CEO, Airbus. “Airbus values its partnership with the more engines as Loganair’s fleet expands.
Chinese aviation stakeholders and we feel privileged to remain a This new agreement underscores Lufthansa
partner of choice in shaping the future of civil aviation in China,” he Technik AERO Alzey’s commitment to ex-
further added. panding its customer base, strengthening its
In line with its sustainability strategy, Airbus and the China National foothold in the European market, and ensuring
Aviation Fuel Group (CNAF) also signed a Memorandum of Under- a continuous flow of work to its facilities. The
standing (MoU) to intensify Chinese-European cooperation on the company has built a reputation for excellence
production, competitive application, and common standards for- in engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul
mulation for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). This new cooperation services, and Loganair’s decision to partner
agreement aims at optimising the SAF supply chain by diversifying the with Lufthansa Technik AERO Alzey is a testa-
sources and enhancing SAF production towards the ambition of using ment to its expertise and capabilities.
10 percent SAF by 2030. The new contract will enable Loganair to
Airbus entered the Chinese market nearly 40 years ago, in 1985, benefit from Lufthansa Technik AERO Alzey’s
when an A310 was first delivered to China Eastern Airlines. By the end extensive experience and expertise in engine
of the first quarter of 2023, the Airbus in-service fleet in China has maintenance, repair, and overhaul services,
risen to over 2,100 aircraft, representing more than 50 percent of the ensuring that its fleet of ATR 42/72 aircraft
market. remains in optimal condition.
The signing of these agreements further strengthens Airbus’ position With this new agreement, Lufthansa Technik
in the Chinese aviation market and underscores the company’s com- AERO Alzey is poised to strengthen its posi-
mitment to supporting the growth of sustainable aviation in China. tion in the European market and expand its
The agreements also highlight the importance of international coop- customer base, while Loganair will benefit from
eration in the aviation industry and the potential for continued growth high-quality engine maintenance and overhaul
and innovation in the years to come services to support its growing operations

16 April 15, 2023 www.mrobusinesstoday.com