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Lufthansa Technik in $100m contract with Qatar Airways

PARIS — Qatar Airways has signed two Memorandums of Understanding, valued more than $100 million, with Lufthansa Technik AG.

Following the initial contract the German provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services (MRO) will take over the engine maintenance and overhaul of the airline's Airbus A320 fleet for the next ten years. Lufthansa Technik's Engine Services in Hamburg will be servicing the different IAE V2500 engine variants of Qatar Airways' 17 Airbus A320 family airplanes under a Total Engine Support (TES) contract.

Following the second agreement Lufthansa Technik will install Rockwell Collins Tailwind 560 for onboard live satellite television. Qatar Airways will become the first international airline offering its passengers live TV. Engineers and technicians will equip the fleet of 15 Airbus A330 with antennas and corresponding systems and integrate the TV function into the existing IFE (in-flight entertainment) system.

"As a key player in the Middle East and international aviation market, Qatar Airways committed itself always to the highest standards of safety, reliability and comfort. Today, while entrusting our engines to Lufthansa Technik, we are not only securing a reliable operation of our Airbus fleet but also setting the new standard of comfort for in-flight entertainment among international carriers," said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways at the Paris Airshow 2005 in Le Bourget.

"The growth in the global aviation market becomes more and more visible with the Middle East region being at the forefront. To more than justify the trust Qatar Airways as a leading airline from the Arabian Peninsula is placing in our technical expertise for two such challenging projects we will dedicate special teams to insure the best service available," explained August W. Henningsen, Chairman of the Executive Board, Lufthansa Technik AG.

Lufthansa Technik enjoys a good reputation for both service packages offered. Already five years ago the company's engineers installed a live TV system onboard a VIP Airbus A340 of an undisclosed customer.

"Only months after the launch of our new representative office in the region and the first Total Engine Support TES(r) contract for the IAE V2500 engines of a Lebanese airline, we are very pleased with the confidence provided to us. The new agreements boost our sales activities in the Middle East for another time," added Walter Heerdt, Senior Vice President Marketing & Sales of Lufthansa Technik.

A dedicated sales team affords existing and new airline customers more immediate access to Lufthansa Technik's services with no time, language or cultural barriers blocking the way. The office is located in Dubai's World Trade Centre and headed by Suheil Mahayni, General Manager Sales Gulf region.