Lufthansa Tech Sees BBJ as XXL Business

Why not invite a dozen friends to dinner on your BBJ?

Lufthansa Technik claims to be the world's largest completion center for large corporate aircraft with no fewer than five production lines for what it calls the XXL-aircraft from the Boeing Business Jet upwards.

Four of these, at its Hamburg finishing center, are dedicated to the BBJ and the Airbus A319CJ Corporate Jetliner.
Starting in 2003, Lufthansa Technik will also be outfitting the Fairchild Dornier Envoy 7 as an XXL-class executive jet.
Last year the LHT Hamburg center delivered three BBJs, two ACJs, and the world's first Boeing 777 outfitted with a VIP cabin. The 777 was completed 41 days before scheduled delivery-an achievement that will spark envy among many BBJ owners whose aircraft are taking longer than promised to complete, as well as coming in over budget.

LHT plans to complete another five XXL executive jets this year, plus a larger VIP aircraft, and eight XXL in 2002.

Continuous investment in the Hamburg facility-which now covers 5,400 square meters and employs 123 craftsmen-has paid of well. Last October LHT won an order from Boeing NetJets to complete 10 737-700 BBJs, with options on 20 more, and has since won one more. It was awarded the contract after Boeing fired Raytheon's Waco center due to lengthy delays there. LHT has promised a five-month turnaround.