Arkia Israeli Airlines has signed a comprehensive technical services contract with Lufthansa Technik. Within the framework of a ten-year agreement, Lufthansa Technik will support the airline with Total Technical Support (TTS) including Technical Operations Management (TOM) for Arkia's three Airbus A321LR.
Integrating all MRO activities into one service package, Lufthansa Technik will provide engineering, line maintenance and component support including consumables and expendables as well as wheels-and-brakes services. The first aircraft delivered from the OEM to Arkia will be the first aircraft of the A321neo type featuring the long-range configuration.
The on-site services in Tel Aviv will be performed by Lufthansa Technik Maintenance International (LTMI), providing TOM and line maintenance services on site at Arkia's hub in Tel Aviv for the next three years, and preparing the carrier's technicians to take over line maintenance after that period.
"Arkia has been modernizing its entire fleet, moving to a full jet fleet for its regional and international routes," says Nir Dagan, President and CEO of Arkia. "Our main fleet now comprises new and state-of-the-art jets: Embraer E195, Airbus A321LR and, starting in 2020, the A330-900. We were looking for the best support for our new fleet and we are happy and proud to rely on Lufthansa Technik's experience and expertise to support the new era of Arkia. I feel this combination of the latest aircraft models with the best support in the market are the basis for Arkia's development."
"This contract is a milestone for us, as it is our first major contract with Arkia. We are very much honoured and proud that we were selected by Arkia to support the A321LR fleet with our TOM Services," says Georgios Ouzounidis, Senior Director Corporate Sales Europe at Lufthansa Technik.
As part of a TTS contract, TOM is a service package which integrates all local line maintenance services on a long-term basis. Working closely with the operator, the TOM staff optimizes the integration of maintenance and engineering services into the airline's flight operations and ensures the smooth functioning of all other MRO services.
Arkia will also benefit from Lufthansa Technik's new digital platform AVIATAR, which offers the latest technologies for large amounts of data to be delivered by new aircraft types like the A321LR.