- 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.