Lufthansa Technik Gets Corporate Boost
as It's Chosen to Complete Airbus A319CJ

Known around the world for its first-class maintenance services of commercial airliners, Lufthansa Technik has made significant inroads in the past year into the field of corporate completions.

This past summer, Lufthansa Technik of Frankfurt and Hamburg was chosen by Airbus as an official outfitter of its A319CJ Corporate Jet. Lufthansa Technik worked with Airbus (as well as the other authorized outfitter, Jet Aviation of Switzerland) to develop six different cabin layouts for the A319CJ, plus 17 standard modules from which others can be created.

The six standard layouts offer seating ranging from 10 to 39 places, weigh 8,500 pounds to 10,700 pounds, and have a cost beginning at about $4 million for the simplest version. Typical installation time is four to six months. Lufthansa Technik has committed to providing Airbus Corporate Jet customers with "several" cabin conversion per year.

In addition, the company is tackling the corporate conversion market with its own branded interior product, the Lufthansa Technik Executive Jet. In the form of the latest B-737-700 or A319CJ, Lufthansa Technik will deliver its own turnkey, multi-purpose Executive Jet interior modified to order.

"Lufthansa Technik's entry into the business aircraft market is a logical one," said a company spokesman. "For over 40 years, we have been engaged in the individualized customizing of VIP aircraft. During the jet age, our executive and VIP business dates back to the legendary Junkers Ju52 and Boeing 707, up to the 747 and Airbus A340."

Like its interiors for the Airbus A319CJ, Lufthansa Technik is offering a variety of modular interiors for its Executive Jet: a reception and lounge, conference room, crew rest, private office, patient-transport compartment, and bed and bath to name but a few.

The modular structure of the fittings also facilitates maintenance because all components are easily removable.

In addition to its work with the new airliner-scale corporate jets, Lufthansa Technik services an increasing number of traditionally sized business jets through its Berlin-based joint venture with Bombardier. Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services is located at Germany's Berlin-Schonefeld airport, where it employs about 100 people. It is the first service center for Bombardier aircraft outside North America and the only one in Europe.

Lufthansa Technik work on Lear 31A, 45 and 60 aircraft, as well as Canadair Challengers, began at the end of last year. The center will handle Global Express maintenance when that new aircraft enters service.

The German company is one of the world's largest MRO outfits, with more than 10,500 employees. It holds maintenance approvals from about 30 authorities.

By Barry Rosenberg