Lufthansa Technik’s Innovation Bay in Malta focuses on reviewing state-of-the-art technologies for aircraft overhauls and integrate everything that proves itself into the work process

Innovation is at the heart of Lufthansa Technik, one of the leading providers of technical aircraft services in the world, and at its Malta base, it is testing the future – from drone-based inspections of the aircraft skin to mobile 3D scanners to exoskeletons.

The Innovation Bay at Lufthansa Technik Malta will increasingly focus on reviewing state-of-the-art technologies for aircraft overhauls in the near future, the company says.

“Everything that proves itself in practice there will be integrated into the work process and rolled out to all other Lufthansa Technik base maintenance locations,” says a spokesman for the company.

For this purpose, Lufthansa Technik is cooperating with both start-ups and established technology companies. Innovative mobile 3D scanners are currently being tested for use in making detailed measurements of structural damage. In addition, the company is examining a solution for drone-based inspections of the aircraft skin as well as exoskeletons from different providers that can relieve employees of physically strenuous work during production. More innovative technological solutions from external partners are set to follow.

The selection is based primarily on top trends, but also on day-to-day requirements.

“Our aim is to improve base maintenance processes and then use the improved processes across all our locations. This enables us to guarantee the same quality and standards at the highest technological level throughout the Lufthansa Technik Group’s network,” says Marcus Motschenbacher, CEO of Lufthansa Technik Malta.

And Malta is just the start: Innovation bays are currently being planned at other Lufthansa Technik locations. This is an important contribution to shortening aircraft layovers for airline customers, the company says.

Lufthansa Technik and its worldwide network offer a range of products and services encompassing the entire service spectrum for commercial as well as VIP/special mission aircraft, engines, components and landing gear in the fields of digital fleet management, maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, fitting out and conversion, along with the manufacture of innovative cabin products.

The company will present its all-encompassing portfolio of individual interior designs, tailored cabin upgrade products, cutting-edge connectivity solutions as well as its innovative technical support packages at EBACE2018.

Lufthansa Technik last year maintained its growth course with a new revenue record and the best sales result in the company’s history. Investments were raised once again and the final result was a slight improvement over the previous year.

Sales revenue grew significantly, increasing by €260 million ($308.26 million) from the previous year’s €5.144 billion to €5.404 billion (+5 per cent). The company achieved an adjusted EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) of €415 million (previous year: €411 million).

“Lufthansa Technik is and remains the leading provider in our industry,” says the Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik Dr Johannes Bussmann. “The new contracts, with a total volume of more than €13 billion, provide impressive proof. Last year was the year of sales. Our team delivered a fantastic performance, demonstrating the importance of the internationalisation approach adopted by Lufthansa Technik.”

In 2017, the number of aircraft under exclusive support contracts with Lufthansa Technik grew by a further 10 per cent to more than 4,550. “A growing number of customers and supported aircraft, along with considerable new business, demonstrate the great trust that we enjoy in the aviation industry around the world,” comments Dr Bussmann.

Growth Continues

The expansion of the international presence of Lufthansa Technik continued last year. Particularly in the Engines division, key pillars for future development were put in place in 2017.

In Asia, the Component Services Division and the Lufthansa Technik Component Services Asia Pacific subsidiary have further extended the company’s presence in this important growth market. In Dubai, Lufthansa Technik Middle East is providing services for airframe-related components, AOG (aircraft  on ground) support, landing gear and engines.

The company believes that it is well prepared for the future. “Never before have we generated so much revenue, supported so many aircraft, or employed so many people. With this foundation, we will stick to our course: growing throughout the world and driving the entire industry forward,” says Dr Bussmann of the outlook for the future.

The Lufthansa Technik Group has more than 30 subsidiaries and holdings and over 25,000 employees serve the internationally certified maintenance, production and development company. 

– Image courtesy: Lufthansa Technik AG