Rolls-Royce and Lufthansa Technik Team up for On-Wing Care Services

Rolls-Royce has entered into an agreement with Lufthansa Technik, the leading provider for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of airplanes, components and engines, to offer extended maintenance capabilities to support the growing number of Trent engines in service.

Under the agreement Rolls-Royce will offer On-Wing Care services at Frankfurt and remote sites with the support of Lufthansa Technik?s Airline Support Teams AST Engines. The services range from video-borescoping and blade changes up to complete module changes or the installation of accessory gear boxes. The wide variety of services is designed to specifically maximize aircraft utilization, to reduce engine removals and therefore minimizing time-consuming shop visits. The new service complements the comprehensive maintenance provision offered by both companies, providing unscheduled line maintenance activities.

"The development of our On-Wing Care network continues the extension of our services portfolio and enables us to maximise engine availability for our Customers. This collaboration with Lufthansa Technik expands our existing relationship and allows us to work together to pool our resources and expertise at the closest point to the customer, building on both partners capabilities as major repair and overhaul providers", said Miles Cowdry, Rolls-Royce President Services.

"Following Lufthansa's selection of Trent engines for various aircraft types of the A330/A340 family, both Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce have continuously strengthened their cooperation. Today, the results of these efforts will be accessible to many airlines looking about the seamless services of two powerful players in the engine market", said August Wilhelm Henningsen, Chairman of the Executive Board, Lufthansa Technik AG. "Having supported hundreds of aircraft around the globe with our Airline Support Teams AST Engines, we have the experience and qualified crews to cater for the needs of the Rolls-Royce operator community."

On-Wing Care is a new and developing Rolls-Royce service offering that provides a range of unscheduled line maintenance support at the closest point of operation to Rolls-Royce customers, aimed at maximising engine availability. On-Wing Care Services centres are currently operational in London, Hong Kong, and New York. The Frankfurt services will predominantly support the growing Trent aero product portfolio expanding to cover the Trent 900 for the Airbus A380 as it enters service.

Lufthansa Technik's highly qualified Airline Support Teams AST, are dispatched within hours to anywhere in the world to repair engine damages. In case of an AOG (aircraft on ground) they immediately do borescope inspections to diagnose the problem and then repair the damage on the spot. The range of engine services offered extends from the Total Engine Support TES to custom repair and overhaul of engines, modules and individual parts; to engineering; to warranty servicing and repairs; to logistical and consulting services. Lufthansa Technik is a designated warranty shop for a broad range of engine types and operates the largest engine shop outside the USA.

Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce have an established 50-50 joint venture specializing in repair and overhaul of Rolls-Royce Trent 500, 700 and 900 engines. N3 Engine Overhaul Services in Erfurt (Germany) currently employs almost 250 staff and trainees at its 25,000 sqm workshop and is now overhauling Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines having received its approval to operate as an EASA Part 145 engine maintenance facility.