EU Rule Change Could Give Airlines
Access to Aircraft Data

Lufthansa has flagged a potential sea-change in aircraft-data access, triggered by a European regulatory proposal that would make it mandatory for manufacturers to share operating data with aircraft owners.

In a policy brief released Sept. 5, Lufthansa said the European Commission’s Data Act paves the way for airlines to access and control their operational data.

“Anyone who purchases a connected device is entitled to know the data relevant to its use. What sounds obvious was not the case until now,” Lufthansa said, referring to the Data Act regulatory proposal.

Lufthansa said this offers “enormous opportunities” for airlines to access their data and share it with third-party suppliers—such as MROs, small businesses, startups and universities—that could develop new flight-optimization products. This could potentially reduce OEM control over aftermarket services.

Spirit-EGAT Joint Venture Opens in Taiwan

The joint venture between Spirit AeroSystems and Evergreen Aviation Technologies (EGAT) opened Oct. 3 in Taiwan.

The JV—Spirit Evergreen Aftermarket Solutions (SEAS)—will provide MRO solutions for nacelle and flight controls on Boeing 737, 747, 747-8, 767 and 787 aircraft, as well as Airbus A320s and A330s. It will build on the airframe heavy maintenance and modification work that EGAT already performs.

Spirit is considering adding European Union Aviation Safety Agency design organization approval to the JV to facilitate parts-repair design. It will also look into adding more complex repairs.

Ethiopian Airlines Eyes Freighter Conversions

Ethiopian Airlines is taking three Boeing 767-300ER converted freighters on long-term lease from Titan Aircraft Investments, boosting the overall African fleet, which Boeing expects to grow by 1,010 new aircraft by 2040.

Ethiopian took delivery of the first Titan aircraft in September, to be followed by the second later in 2022 and a third in 2023. These will join Ethiopian’s existing fleet of nine widebody freighters and four 737 conversions.

At Farnborough, the airline announced a tentative agreement with De Havilland Canada for two Dash 8-400 freighter conversion kits, with options on two more. If the deal is firmed, the conversions would be performed by Ethiopian’s in-house maintenance operation, which is already a De Havilland Canada Authorized Service Facility.

De Havilland launched three Dash 8-400 cargo conversion options at Farnborough, and Ethiopian is planning to take the large cargo door kit—the biggest modification—involving the installation of a new 109-in. x 69-in. cargo door.

Pratt & Whitney Plans Singapore-Based
MRO Technology Accelerator

Pratt & Whitney has announced plans to establish a technology accelerator facility in Singapore to develop new technologies for deployment across its MRO network in the island state. It says the facility at Seletar Aerospace Park will serve as a center of excellence for technology advancement.

Expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2022, Pratt plans to add 16 new full-time staff positions at the site. It will source those jobs from the domestic-based workforce pool.

Pratt will partner with the Singapore Economic Development Board for the venture, which will roll out technologies across its four Singapore-based MRO facilities over the next five years. The engine OEM says the projects will focus on automation, advanced inspection, connected factory and digital twin to enhance connectivity and intelligence across its aftermarket operations. 

CONTRACTS

AFI KLM E&M extended its GE90 engine support contract with China Airlines for its Boeing 777Fs and added two ex-Norwegian 787-9s to its component services deal with South Korea’s Air Premia.

AMP AERO won a 3-year CFM56-5B and -7B engine material consignment agreement from Air Arabia.

Atitech was selected by Air Malta to perform C checks on three Airbus A320neos during the winter 2022-23
schedule.

GA Telesis Engine Services won a Lion Air Group contract to provide CFM56-7B maintenance for its 737NGs.

Lufthansa Technik secured a 5-year Total Component Support contract with Smartwings for its 30 737NGs.

MRO Japan was selected by Skymark Airlines to perform C checks on its
737-800s.

Revima Asia Pacific won a contract with Luxair to provide 737NG landing gear overhauls out of its new Bangkok facility.

Safran Nacelles won two 5-year contracts to provide thrust-reverser support for 51 Cathay Pacific A330s and 32 Cathay Pacific/HK Express A321neos.

ST Engineering won a 5-year component maintenance-by-the-hour contract from Thailand’s Nok Air for its
737-800s.

Triumph Aviation Services Asia extended its repair station deal with Satair for proprietary parts, focusing on structural and flight surfaces for A320/A330/A350/A380 aircraft.