Lufthansa Technik performed first base maintenance layovers of Boeing 737 MAX

Lufthansa Technik recently performed the first major connectivity
modifications on Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft of an undisclosed
customer. The aircraft were modified at Lufthansa Technik Budapest.

The airline customer is currently enlarging its all-Boeing 737 fleet
with the newest member of this aircraft family and was looking for a
partner to equip the fleet with a state-of-the-art connectivity
solution. Lufthansa Technik Budapest was the location of choice to
accomplish the layovers within a short and reliable time frame. Over
the recent years, the narrowbody base maintenance and modification
experts in Budapest have performed this modification many times on
Boeing 737 NG aircraft.

During the five-day layovers, several specialized teams were in place
to accomplish the modification work. A structures team reinforces the
affected skin area to facilitate the installation of the Satellite
Antenna Assembly (SAA) and GSM antenna as well as the covering
radome. The avionics team installs the cabling, hardware and software
of the related connectivity system in the aircraft cabin. Other
mechanics provide the necessary access to the cockpit and passenger
compartment interior and reinstall all equipment once all work has
been finished.

Dietmar Focke, CEO of Lufthansa Technik Budapest, says: "The recent
events demonstrate our competence for modification work on the Boeing
737 MAX 8. But this is only the first step. We are currently
expanding our services to full base maintenance capabilities for this
aircraft type to support operators from scheduled maintenance to
aircraft modification all the way to major overhaul events."

Maintenance capability extensions for the 737 MAX at further
locations in the Lufthansa Technik network are planned. Lufthansa
Technik already offers an extensive range of globally available
products and services for the various Boeing 737 types. The spare
parts warehouses for the Boeing 737 of the Classic and popular Next
Generation versions have been expanded for the 737 MAX to support
operators of this aircraft type with component services. And as one
of the first MRO providers to support customers as early as in the
initial phase of their LEAP engine operations, preparations for the
introduction of the LEAP-1B engine are underway with the first shop
visit expected in 2019.