Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) has broadened its capacities to overhaul aircraft of the Airbus A330/A340 family with the deployment of a second modern dock facility at its hangar in Manila International Airport this year.

The new production line enables LTP to perform two A330/A340 overhauls, or heavy maintenance checks, simultaneously. LTP is currently performing its tenth and eleventh heavy maintenance checks in Manila. Since the launch of its first production line in 2003, the company has successfully completed five-year and ten-year checks on nine aircraft. Launching customer Philippine Airlines was joined by Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa German Airlines late last year.

"Having built a track record for short downtimes and Lufthansa quality standard in 2003, our highly qualified team is ready to extend this excellent performance to a larger customer base this year," said LTP President and CEO Dr. Andreas Heizner.

"In addition, our competitive pricing and the parent company Lufthansa Technik's strong on-site support helped us gain the trust of new customers," Dr. Heizner added. "We are proud that we were able to sign a long-term agreement with our first European customer Austrian Airlines until 2006. Furthermore, Lufthansa German Airlines is counting on us to support their A330/A340 overhaul needs."

August Wilhelm Henningsen, CEO of Lufthansa Technik AG, stated that the second production line "will give us more flexibility to serve the global market for its heavy maintenance needs" as well as accommodate additional opportunities for base maintenance activities like C-Checks. "We also will take advantage of LTP's proximity to the hubs of many A330/A340 operators in Asia."

Founded in the year 2000 as a joint venture of Lufthansa Technik (51 percent) and Philippine aviation service provider MacroAsia (49%), Lufthansa Technik Philippines extends line and base maintenance services to international customers. It is the Lufthansa Technik Group's prime center for A330/A340 heavy maintenance.

LTP provides the total technical and engineering support requirements of the entire Philippine Airlines fleet and is rendering line maintenance to 17 more international carriers. Its four hangar bays and workshops have been upgraded to the latest industry standards to support Airframe Maintenance, Major Modifications, Cabin Reconfigurations, Engine Maintenance and Painting for A330/A340, A320, B747-400 and B737 aircraft.

In cooperation with Lufthansa Technical Training, the company continuously develops manpower skills and qualifications via in-house JAR-66 courses. LTP holds repair station certificates from the FAA, EASA (JAA), ATO and other airworthiness authorities.