Rolls-Royce and Lufthansa Technik Explore Closer Co-Operation in Engine Maintenance

December 19, 2014

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Rolls-Royce and Lufthansa Technik AG are to explore closer co-operation in the technical care of mature engines. It follows a year-long pilot project intended to reduce the maintenance costs of mature Trent 500 engines which power the Airbus A340-500/600 aircraft.

Rolls-Royce's expertise as the engine manufacturer and Lufthansa Technik's experience as one of the world's largest engine maintenance providers were combined in the pilot. The question it addressed was: How can Trent 500 maintenance costs be reduced through the mature phase of the lifecycle?

This work plays a significant part in ensuring Rolls-Royce has the capabilities to introduce TotalCare Flex®, a concept that addresses the service needs of customers with mature-phase engines, including the Trent 500.

Joint efforts on several Trent 500 engines made it clear that tangible reductions in costs were achievable through systematic changes in workscope, improved use of used material, and optimised processes in the workshops.

Bernhard Krueger-Sprengel, Senior Vice President Engine Services of Lufthansa Technik AG, said: "This successful pilot project by Rolls-Royce and Lufthansa Technik shows that a close partnership between a manufacturer and a maintenance organisation offers advantages for airline customers and for both partners. Mature engines remain competitive for longer and the costs of operating them can be reduced."

Tom Palmer, Rolls-Royce, Director of Services, Civil Large Engines, said: "This collaboration with Lufthansa Technik is an important part of developing our TotalCare Flex thinking, giving us further confidence in our ability to deliver improved mature engine support to customers."

Encouraged by the successful pilot project and customer interest, the two project partners have agreed to explore options for longer-term co-operations, which may expand to include other engine types.

Source : Rolls Royce