Lufthansa Technik has gained CAAC approval to perform line and heavy maintenance and cabin refurbishment work on Chinese B-registered A319 aircraft. The company’s VIP maintenance facility in Hamburg, Germany, is now working on its first B-registered ACJ319 maintenance project.
Lufthansa Technik outfitted the aircraft with a VIP cabin six years ago for a Chinese customer. Now the aircraft has returned for its first major heavy maintenance check, which involves removing and reinstalling the VIP interior. The cabin will also undergo a comprehensive refurbishment.
“This approval is a milestone for us as the A319 is a popular aircraft type in Greater China,” said Thomas Decher, vice president, VIP maintenance and modifications. “I am sure that we will create significant additional business thanks to the approval, as removing and installing the VIP cabin is a very sensitive work which shall only be performed by VIP interior specialists.
“If commercial aircraft MRO suppliers are not familiar with handling the special equipment and materials, such as the fine leather seats, embroidered light color carpets or sensitive wooden surfaces, parts of the cabin can easily get damaged and scratched. Furthermore, re-installing the cabin in the aircraft after the check is a very challenging task. The interior and electrical functions must fit and work perfectly in the aircraft without any visible gaps, to protect the elegant appearance.”
More than 30 VIP aircraft have been outfitted by Lufthansa Technik for customers in Greater China. The company’s other heavy maintenance approvals from CAAC cover various other Airbus and Boeing aircraft types, including the B747, A340 and A318.
April 18, 2017
