MRO Middle East 2018 Recap

Credit: Kenya Airways

Safran Nacelles has signed contracts with Egyptair and Kuwait Airways covering thrust reverser maintenance services for the Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines on both airlines' Airbus A330 jetliner fleets. The agreement with Egyptair involves soft time maintenance while both agreements include coverage for unscheduled repair services and asset management. Safran Nacelles is the OEM for Trent 700 thrust reversers. Maintenance coverage for both contracts is part of Safran Nacelles' wider service offering and will be backed by the company's global MRO network, which includes AMES

Skeyos, a new company founded by Lufthansa Technik, made its debut at MRO Middle East. The company has developed a digital marketplace and e-procurement tool that it says provides better transparency, dependability and simplicity for purchasing aircraft component maintenance services. The independent online platform, which can be integrated into existing IT environments or used as a stand-alone system, connects buyers and suppliers of MRO services.

Purchasers can access MRO services and compare costs through a single channel, with pricing and service availability guaranteed. The services can be purchased, managed and monitored through the online tool. Meanwhile, suppliers can create predefined offers that can be adapted to individual customer requirements, which Skeyos says eliminates the time and energy spent on bidding processes. The tool also offers integrated handling of billing and payment. Skeyos CEO Hansi Schmidt says users will appreciate the qualified network, efficient purchasing experience, dependable bids and smooth transaction integration.

Adding to its offering of component services for Boeing 737 MAX operators, Lufthansa Technik AG announced it will start connectivity modifications on the aircraft for an undisclosed airline customer. Starting in mid-2018 at LHT's overhaul facility in Budapest, the five-day modification will include installation of a broadband antenna on the 737 MAX's external structure along with cabling, hardware and software installation inside the cabin. LHT says the next steps will be building up full base maintenance capability at the Budapest facility, with other LHT network locations to follow.

In addition to supplying components for EVA Air's Airbus A321/A330 and Boeing 777-300ER fleet, Lufthansa Technik AG has now signed a contract to do the same for the Taiwan-based airline's new Boeing 777F fleet. The component supply agreement includes the repair, overhaul and supply of line replaceable units. LHT says its inventories in Hong Kong and Singapore will ensure availability of serviceable components for the airline. Additionally, LHT's customer services for the Asia Pacific region-which include engineering and logistics-are located in Hong Kong with close proximity to EVA Air's headquarters.

SR Technics announced it has reached an agreement with 8tree to use the company's dentCHECK inspection solution. The handheld 3D surface inspection tool will be used to enhance SR Technic's maintenance operations in Switzerland and Malta. Jakob Straub, head of SR Technics' aircraft services and line maintenance, says dentCHECK will allow the company to send accurate dent assessment reports to customers more rapidly than before, which will add value by returning aircraft to service more quickly.