The Maltese flag carrier Air Malta and Lufthansa Technik AG, Germany, are founding a new joint company, based at Malta`s International Airport Luqa. Louis Grech, Chairman of Air Malta, and August W. Henningsen, Chairman of Lufthansa Technik`s Executive Board, signed a contract to this effect in Valetta, Malta’s capital, on June 13th. The Honorable Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and the Minister for Economic Services Josef Bonnici - responsible for Air Malta - attended this event.

Effective in 2003, Lufthansa Technik Malta will perform C-Checks on the Boeing 737 series - including the Next-Generation - and Airbus A320 family, for Lufthansa German Airlines and Air Malta as well as for external customers. As member of Lufthansa Technik’s existing worldwide MRO (maintenance, repair & overhaul) network with now 23 companies the new corporation will be a backbone of the group’s maintenance for short- and medium-haul aircraft.

For Lufthansa Technik, already having European joint ventures in Budapest, Brussels and Shannon, the commitment is a first step in the continent’s Southern part. “We see this foundation to be the start of a long lasting partnership and the basis for a technically high-qualified cooperation to the benefit of both parties”, said August W. Henningsen during the contract signing ceremony.

Air Malta, holding a stake of 49% in the company, will bring in technical personnel and facilities. Louis Grech pointed out that the far-reaching agreement supports Malta’s position as a renowned location for aircraft services. “With the vast experience of Lufthansa Technik and Air Malta’s highly motivated staff, both partners will be a strong provider in international maintenance with a competitive cost environment”, he added.The new company will create new job opportunities as well as enhance its human resources development.

The successful relationship between the two companies was manifested in the year 2000 as Air Malta engaged Lufthansa Technik to take over the overhaul of the CFM56 engines of the two Airbus A320s and the seven Boeing 737-300s. The scope of the work includes technical consultation while this contract is to run till 2010.

Founded in 1973, Air Malta offers both scheduled and charter passenger flights. Its fleet consists of two Airbus A320s and nine Boeing 737s, which fly to more than 50 destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Lufthansa Technik is one of the world’s largest providers of MRO services for aircraft. With over 22,000 employees in its network, it enjoys an unexcelled reputation worldwide. Its name has become synonymous with quality, reliability, individualized customer service and superior technical competence.

With inquiries or for more information, contact:

Lufthansa Technik AG
Press and Public Relations
Phone: +49 40 5070 3667
Fax: +49 40 5070 8534
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.lufthansa-technik.com

Air Malta p.l.c.
Marketing and PR
Phone: +356 22 999 229
Fax: +356 21 692 861
E-mail:  [email protected]
Website: www.airmalta.com

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