Lufthansa Technik AG is once again expanding its involvement in the provision of technical support for the Boeing 787, after signing an agreement with Air Canada. Canada's largest airline has signed a 12-year Total Component Support TCS® contract with Lufthansa Technik, starting with the delivery of the first aircraft from Boeing to Air Canada in the first quarter of 2014. So far, Air Canada has confirmed 37 Boeing 787 orders with another 23 options.
After Japan Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines, Air Canada has become the third Boeing 787 customer to entrust the component support of its new long-haul fleet to Lufthansa Technik. The Total Component Support TCS® agreement comprises a comprehensive service portfolio including supply of serviceable components from Lufthansa Technik's extensive 787 pool, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of removed components, home base lease, transportation logistics, reliability reporting and IT interface.
Lufthansa Technik will invest significantly over the contractual period to guarantee an optimal service to Air Canada, including the appointment of an on-site program manager at Air Canada's head office in Montreal and expansion of its component pool in Miami, Florida.
"The selection of a component support provider for our 787 fleet is an extremely important decision," said Alan Butterfield VP Engineering and Maintenance at Air Canada. "Over the years, Lufthansa Technik has shown its ability to provide a consistently high quality service at the right price level. When it came to the 787 they clearly demonstrated their commitment and ability to ensure the integrity of our long-haul operation from day one."
"This contract signature makes us extremely proud. On the one hand, it confirms the great working relationship and trust between our two companies which we have established over a long time. Our existing successful partnership in the component support for Air Canada's Boeing 777 has been the perfect base for the new contract," said Wolfgang Weynell, VP Marketing and Sales at Lufthansa Technik. "On the other hand, we are now supporting the 787 fleets of three leading airlines from three different continents with our TCS® services. This clearly proves our ability to customize this product to the individual needs and new fleets of our partners. We always strive to offer the best service, reliability and cost control commitments to our customers."
Aside from this new contract, the two companies have also extended the existing Boeing 777 TCS® for another two years and, in addition, Air Canada has contracted Lufthansa Technik to provide Aircraft Production Inspection Program (APIP) services for the 787 fleet at Boeing's assembly lines in Seattle and Charleston. Since 2012 Lufthansa Technik has also been providing MRO services for Air Canada's CFMI, CFM56-5A and -5B engines.
About Air Canada:
Air Canada is Canada's largest full-service airline and the largest provider of scheduled passenger services in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. transborder market and in the international market to and from Canada. Together with its Air Canada Express regional partners, Air Canada serves close to 35 million passengers annually and provides direct passenger service to more than 175 destinations on five continents. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance[TM], the world's most comprehensive air transportation network.
About Lufthansa Technik:
The Lufthansa Technik Group, with more than 30 subsidiaries and about 26,000 employees worldwide, is one of the leading providers of services for the aviation industry. Lufthansa Technik is licensed internationally as a repair, production and development enterprise. The Group's portfolio encompasses the entire spectrum of services in the areas of maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification and conversion, engines and components.
