WestJet and Lufthansa Technik have signed a 15-year, multi-billion dollar exclusive agreement for engine maintenance services, the largest contract in the Canadian low-fare carrier’s 30-year history.
Lufthansa Technik will service the CFM International LEAP-1B engines for WestJet’s growing Boeing 737 fleet and will build a new, dedicated LEAP-1B maintenance facility in Calgary, featuring a modern test cell – the first of its kind in Canada for next-generation engines.
Operations will begin in 2027, with WestJet as the launch customer. By 2030, the facility is expected to create up to 160 new jobs.
CFM International, the maker of the LEAP-1B engine, has created an open MRO ecosystem for the engine family. Lufthansa Technik, as a CFM Premier MRO partner, is authorised to provide comprehensive MRO services for these engines.
Lufthansa Technik is a CFM Premier MRO partner for the LEAP-1B engine.
“This historic contract award will allow us to bring critical engine repair operations home to Canada,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group CEO, emphasising the benefits of increased efficiency, cost certainty, and support for the Alberta economy.
Lufthansa Technik will provide a comprehensive range of services, including quick-turn shop visits, on-wing repairs, and full-performance restorations. The partnership covers WestJet’s current fleet of over 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with plans to support a growing fleet of over 130 by the end of the decade.
While major overhauls will primarily occur at Lufthansa Technik’s facilities in Hamburg and Poland, the Calgary station will focus on quick-turn work.
“This agreement represents one of the largest awards ever granted to any MRO provider for CFM LEAP engines worldwide,” stated Soeren Stark, Lufthansa Technik CEO. He highlighted the company’s leading position in new-generation engine support and expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Canadian partners.
Collaborative effort
The project is a collaborative effort, with funding and support from the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, Calgary Economic Development, Calgary International Airport, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
The deal aligns with Lufthansa Technik’s “Ambition 2030” strategy, focusing on core operations and global growth, particularly in response to the increasing prevalence of the LEAP-1B engine in the Americas. For WestJet, this partnership reinforces its commitment to building a world-class aerospace cluster in Calgary and contributing to regional economic growth.
Photo: Lufthansa Technik
