European low-fare leisure carrier SunExpress Airlines has signed two comprehensive five-year MRO contracts with Lufthansa Technik to service its Boeing 737 engine fleet.
The agreement covers both the CFM56-7B engines, which power the airline’s current Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and the advanced CFM LEAP-1B engines used for its rapidly expanding number of 737-8s.
The contract marks a significant win for Lufthansa Technik as it captures a larger share of the MRO market for the fast-growing LEAP-1B engine series while maintaining its dominance in the legacy CFM56 market.
Most work will take place at the company’s facilities in Hamburg, but to ensure flexibility and extra capacity the agreement also allows for engine servicing at the XEOS joint-venture facility with GE Aerospace in Poland.
“This strategic partnership reinforces our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of reliability and performance across our Boeing 737 fleet,” said Cemil Sayar, Chief Operating Officer at SunExpress.
Harald Gloy, Chief Operations Officer at Lufthansa Technik, pointed at the importance of supporting both old and new technology simultaneously.
“The rollover to the latest-generation types such as the LEAP-1B engine is progressing steadily, but its venerable CFM56-7B predecessor is also still going strong… we are pleased that we can offer SunExpress our enormous expertise for both generations,” he said.
PHOTOS: SunExpress and Rob Munro
Dr Georg Fanta (Vice President Commercials Engine Services at Lufthansa Technik), right: Cemil Sayar (Chief Operating Officer at SunExpress)
