Uptake and Rolls-Royce are about half way through a two-month proof of concept to ascertain whether a different data-science approach will improve Trent engines’ reliability—including detecting problems before they occur.

Wolfgang Mayrhuber led the rehabilitation team charged with engineering Lufthansa’s recovery in the early 1990s. Subsequently, he was elected chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik when it became an independent entity in 1994. He is credited evolving LHT into a global supplier of MRO services.

Etihad Airways Engineering has seen off competition from a field of 400 to take a top innovation award. The maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider received the prestigious UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Aeronnovation award in the ‘Improving Aviation Safety’ category.

Private equity firm Liberty Hall Capital Partners said Dec. 3 it bought Aircraft Performance Group (APG), which offers proprietary flight operations software targeted at the aerospace aftermarket.

The MRO provider will support Boeing 737 aircraft used for prisoner transport out of Oklahoma City and Las Vegas.

The deal with U.S. low-cost carrier Frontier will run for five years and includes up to 10 years of salary raises.

Aviation Week speaks with Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon to find out more about how the new Auckland to Chicago route will be serviced and what the airline’s expansion plans entail.

To support its growing fleet, the airline is offering accelerated A&P training and employment opportunities along with a perks package valued at up to $11,000.