Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1044434
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 OCTOBER 2018 B3 BUSINESS & INNOVATION LUFTHANSA Technik Malta is officially ready to perform all work required for the Base Maintenance of the Airbus A350-900, as the company has been licensed by the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA). The granting of the "Base Maintenance Approval" certifi- cate by the LBA marks the suc- cessful end of an intense period of preparation, in which em- ployees were trained, processes were established and infrastruc- ture was adapted. Lufthansa Technik Malta kicked off this extensive pro- gram in November 2016 and has now been rewarded ac- cordingly for its efforts. The first Airbus A350 is expected to arrive for base maintenance services at Lufthansa Technik Malta in spring 2019. Lufthansa Technik's CEO Marcus Motschenbacher said: "More than 50 employees of Lufthansa Technik Malta spent just over three months in per- sonal preparation acquiring the necessary qualifications and practical training to enable them to work on the A350. Two out of six base maintenance lines at the facility have been outfitted to ac- commodate the A350-900 with an investment of over €3.2m to cover the first C-Checks. A sub- stantial investment in new tool- ing has included the purchase of more than 280 different tools in- cluding engine removal tooling." Extensive docking modifica- tions have also been under- taken in Hangar 1, extending the current capabilities of the mezzanine, wing and tail docks. Investment in a new electrical installation was also made due to the A350's dedicated hydrau- lic rigs. This approval cements Luf- thansa Technik Malta's pole position as the only Airbus widebody base maintenance provider in the Lufthansa Tech- nik network of European base maintenance facilities. Today, the company is a true strong- hold of this network in partner- ship with its sister companies in Shannon, Berlin, Budapest, Sofia, Hamburg, Manila and Puerto Rico. Lufthansa Technik Malta forms part of Lufthansa Tech- nik Group which consists of some 35 companies with more than 25,000 employees globally. It is a subsidiary of the Lufthan- sa Group. Lufthansa Technik Malta receives A350 base maintenance approval