Lufthansa Technik Sees 'Hopeful Signs'

Lufthansa Technik sees "hopeful signs from different markets" despite the post-9/11 crisis in the aviation industry, according to executive board chairman August Wilhelm Henningsen.

The $2 billion-plus, 20,000 employee maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) giant could be less affected by the crisis than some other companies, Henningsen believes. "The older aircraft are being parked first, and any company dependent on servicing only older aircraft is going to be in trouble." Meanwhile, he says, "established carriers are looking to farm out more and more of what is not directly related to their business."

Lufthansa Technik is expanding in Asia with the aid of joint ventures. This summer, Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) will complete the renovation of its four-bay hangar in Manila. A joint venture between Lufthansa Technik and MacroAsia, LTP is preparing to perform D checks on the Airbus A330 and A340 family, including Lufthansa aircraft.