BBJ and A319CJ Total Support Announced by LHT

Lufthansa Technik (LHT) may be a first-time convention exhibitor, but the German company's history as a major resource for corporate aviation pilot training, aircraft completions, and after-market support is older than the NBAA itself, starting with the development of an executive version of the Junkers Ju 52 military aircraft in the 1930s.

Over the last couple of years, however, LHT has been on a campaign to gain more visibility-and business-in the corporate aviation world, particularly since it completed a collaboration in November 1997 with Canada's Bombardier to establish a Berlin support facility for operators of Bombardier corporate aircraft.

The company decided to participate in this year's convention to talk up its first completions orders for the Boeing Business Jet and introduce its XXL Class customized interior completions and support package for BBJs and Airbus A319CJs. In addition to the orders disclosed at the show for three BBJs, LHT says it has orders to complete other BBJs and A319CJs, but declines to state exactly how many.

XXL Class is LHT's term for a service package also referred to as total technical support. TTS services range from customized interior completions and exterior paint, to line maintenance and general overhauls, to parts stocking and crew training. Customers can opt for the entire TTS package, or they can pick and choose.

The first BBJ that LHT has been contracted to complete has been ordered by Michael Chowdry, CEO of Atlas Air (a lessor of a fleet of Boeing 747 freighters). At an LHT press conference held here Tuesday, Chowdry said he expects LHT to take delivery of his BBJ in February 1999 and have it back to enter service by June or July. Chowdry also selected LHT to supply its TTS for the company's fleet of Boeing 747s.

Swiss charter company PrivatAir has a contract for LHT to complete two BBJs it has on order. PrivatAir officials said they expected to take delivery of their first BBJ in April 1999 and the second in November.

By Gordon A. Gilbert