Noel Grima

Lufthansa Technik Malta yesterday announced its latest customer: Cypriot charter airline Eurocypria, together with Air Malta, Lufthansa and Spanair, is now a customer for aircraft maintenance done by Maltese technicians in Malta.

During a presentation at the airport yesterday, one Eurocypria aircraft flew in while another finished its maintenance programme in the Lufthansa Technik hangar. This means that half the Cypriot airline was in Malta – the airline has four aircraft.

The airline was awarded the Best Charter Airline 2004 by ARGO Holidays.

With this addition to its customer base, Lufthansa Technik Malta has also upgraded its facilities to be able to service what are called Boeing 737 Next Generation planes, the latest in the 737 class. It will thus be able to service similar planes from other companies.

Lufthansa Technik Malta is now in its third year of operations. The Lufthansa Technik and Air Malta joint venture has so far serviced 115 planes, 63 last year alone. It has a full order book for the rest of this year, said Lufthansa Technik Malta Chief Executive Officer Louis Giordimaina.

He also told this paper that the business plan and the feasibility study on the introduction of a second line at the facility are well in hand and awaiting the final stages of approval from the shareholders. By the end of next year the second line should be in operation, making it possible for two aircraft to be serviced simultaneously in the hangar.

This decision will involve a substantial investment and also additional recruitment. Lufthansa Technik Malta operates with 110 employees, nearly all Maltese. It has also joined forces with MCAST to sponsor 20 new apprentices and provide vocational training on aircraft maintenance. Bringing in the second line will be preceded by training for more certifying staff.

The company already has spinoffs in favour of Maltese industry as the company has found it advantageous to have certain high-precision tools manufactured in Malta.

During the past months, Lufthansa Technik Malta also broadened its range of services with the introduction of additional services such as cabin modifications, which has come in useful with regard to work done for Spanair.