Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) and Lufthansa Technik Middle East (LTME) announce collaboration in aircraft component services
Long-term TCS contract covering Saudia's Boeing 777 and 787 fleets of
57 long-haul aircraft
Increasing momentum for regional cooperation in Maintenance, Repair
and Overhaul (MRO)
On the occasion of the MRO Middle East 2023, Saudia Aerospace
Engineering Industries (SAEI) and Lufthansa Technik Middle East
(LTME) announced the recent signing of an agreement regarding a close
cooperation in the field of aircraft component services.
In line with the deal, Lufthansa Technik will over the next ten years
provide its Total Component Support (TCS) to Saudia's 57 aircraft
strong Boeing 777 and 787 fleets. The TCS contract encompasses 39
Boeing 777s (35 777-300ER and four 777F) and 18 Boeing 787s (13 787-9
and five 787-10). For all these aircraft, SAEI gains 24/7 access to
Lufthansa Technik's global components pool. For example, the TCS
includes an AOG (Aircraft On Ground) support that guarantees shortest
possible delivery for time-critical components. The agreement will
significantly strengthen SAEI's technical operations and complement
its own resources.
Lufthansa Technik will also support SAEI in further enhancing their
in-house component capabilities. Future fields of cooperation in both
scope and functionality, especially in the area of digitalizing MRO
processes and the related supply chains, are already envisioned.
Both parties regard the aforementioned components collaboration as a
basis to form the core of the projected "MRO Community of
Excellence". Initially discussed at the Future of Aviation Forum in
Riyadh last year, the concept aims at attracting regional players to
join forces in shaping the sustainable growth of the MRO industry.
Currently in advanced stages of discussion, the project is destined
to encourage the collaboration deemed essential for sustainable and
rapid growth through human capital development, advanced technologies
and standardized practices.
"Combining our unique position in one of the fastest growing aviation
markets globally - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - with the experience
and expertise of a global MRO leader such as Lufthansa Technik will
create a regional aircraft maintenance powerhouse that is truly
commensurate with the strategic ambitions of this sector in the
Kingdom," stated Fahd H. Cynndy, Chief Executive Officer of SAEI.
"We are honoured to be considered as part of the impressive aviation
ecosystem that is evolving in this highly dynamic and fast growing
region. It is our great pleasure to do our bit in supporting the
development of the aviation stream of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's
Vision 2030," says Ziad Al Hazmi, Chief Executive Officer of LTME.
The Lufthansa Technik group and SAEI have track record of successful
business relationships in various technical segments, for example in
the field of single component maintenance.