Lufthansa Technik announces two major projects

Lufthansa Technik is making two major project announcements at the show, where it is highlighting its high-end airliner design, modification and cabin completion specialisms.

The German company is launching a cabin modification programme today for the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT), which is designed to expand the mission capabilities of the widebody aircraft, of which about 30 are in service and on order, says LHT. The company has developed four cabin configurations. Its "state" and “governor” layouts are designed for head-of-state and government transport, respectively, featuring different levels of interior outfitting and passenger comfort. The "rescue" layout is designed for humanitarian aid flights and medical evacuation missions and feature a modular intensive care unit. “Trooper" is designed for long distance passenger or troop transport.

“We have developed cabin layouts for four particularly frequent deployment scenarios, which will enable significantly more intensive and improved use of the aircraft in the future,” says Wieland Timm, LHT’s senior director sales, VIP and special missions.

The company has already secured a contract for a "governor" configuration from an undisclosed A330 MRTT customer. Work in under way at LHT’s Hamburg facility and the modified aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2018.

LHT will also announce at the show today that it has secured its first contract for a Boeing BBJ 787-8 cabin completion. The green airliner is scheduled for delivery in Hamburg during the second half of 2018, and will be handed over to its undisclosed customer about 15 months later, says Timm. “We have provided technical services to more than 100 787 airliners to date, but this will be our first VVIP completion,” he adds.

The 787-8 will feature a bespoke layout including a “private area” with an office, a bathroom and a bedroom. A separate area will be configured for dining and conferencing while the rear sector of the aircraft will feature “different classes” of passenger seating.

The two projects have been announced against a backdrop of falling orders for the VIP completions, but Timm is confident that the market is starting to rebound. “We are seeing a number of enquiries from customers in the Middle East, Asia and the former CIS countries who are looking replace their existing aircraft with the latest designs such as the neo and Max versions from Airbus and Boeing, or to move from a four- to a two-engined type” he says. “We are also seeing interest from owners who are looking to switch from a narrowbody to a widebody.”

LHT is currently working on six modification and completion projects in Hamburg including an A340 and an A320.

(Evangle Luo of TTFLY shared with you)