3rd Quarter
2010
LTP @ 10
Perfect MRO combination unlocked
Special back-to-back anniversary issue
Phone +63-2-855-9319
Fax +63-2-855-9309
sales@ltp.com.ph
Introduction
Message
Our first 10-Year check
Bernhard Krueger-Sprengel, LTP President & CEO
IN OCTOBER 2000, barely a month after the German-Filipino joint venture known as Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) first took off, Technilink published its inaugural issue—a simple black-and-white version that was circulated through photocopies. We have evolved a lot ever since (and even picked up a marketing industry Anvil award along the way). Our graphic changes, however, have not been quite as dramatic as the company’s transformation in the last 10 years. Now is a good time to look back at the events that shaped our business. The start-up and development phases of LTP yield a trove of experience and a proud historical record. We are only glad that Technilink was there to chronicle every remarkable story and unforgettable snapshot. Through this special issue, we relive how LTP reshaped the region’s MRO industry. We also gather views that foretell the road beyond. Most of all, we celebrate the key moments that now enrich our growing corporate heritage. W
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Dear readers, As Lufthansa Technik Philippines marks its 10th year in the business, one wonders if the start-up team that walked into the hangar on Sept. 1, 2000 had pictured the following future scenarios: a workplace bustling with customers from six continents. Different carrier tails peering out from five maintenance bays. Narrow- and wide-body aircraft stripped clean for D-checks and flying out as good as new. Modern workshops and upgraded equipment. Efficient layouts in a clean environment. Whether or not company pioneers had seen it coming, that future is already here. Today’s LTP is a vision accomplished. We have changed the face of MRO in the region. Manila is now known for excellence in Airbus overhaul—with the advantages of a friendly location, competitive rates, good turnaround times and the Lufthansa Technik brand name. From all over the globe, customers are looking forward to their maintenance events in Asia. As a result, Lufthansa Technik has secured its position as the most geographically diverse MRO network, thanks to LTP. This 10-year milestone could not have been possible without our long-term partnership with Philippine Airlines, the launch customer for LTP’s comprehensive menu
of MRO services. Management teams that came before the present one also laid the foundation which allowed LTP to grow its clientele confidently and optimize its people. All their good work and the cooperation of our customers and employees have borne fruit one decade hence. Partners Lufthansa Technik AG and MacroAsia Corporation had been right to take a long-term view of the business. They launched development steps that looked far beyond physical improvements. Transformations were also visible during the process of gaining additional capabilities and earning new qualifications. Major air authorities have since affirmed LTP’s wide-ranging competencies in repair and maintenance. Our workforce has also doubled in size to the current 2,700-strong organization. The Philippines, meanwhile, has gained from foreign exchange inflows, highly skilled employment, and a prestigious and socially responsible investor. LTP’s volume and revenue indicators dispel any doubts that the local economy is on the upswing. Success did not happen to us overnight, but our pace of growth is impressive by any standards. We had built this business one milestone at a time—from assuming
responsibility over the PAL fleet on Day 1 to opening line maintenance services to other airlines that ensured their reliable, on-time performance to equipping our hangar for Airbus overhauls. Innovative training here and abroad helped qualify the Filipino aircraft specialists who are our biggest asset. Through patience and focus, the company was able to confront early difficulties, especially the 9/11 crisis in Year 2 and the succeeding global economic slumps. Our resilience, financial prudence and adaptability kept us going amid the turbulence. The ‘can-do’ spirit of LTP was anchored on our single most unmistakable strength—our remarkable people who are skilled in English, passionate about customer service and quick to adopt the German quality culture and precise workmanship. Aviation remains an unpredictable business. LTP going forward must therefore be flexible to meet the customer’s shifting needs. While keeping our strength with traditional airlines, we also recognize new industry trends ushered by low cost carriers (LCCs) whose unique requirements we also wish to fulfill. We have proven responsive to new market opportunities by swiftly installing our A320 overhaul lines. In order to maintain our attractive cost
proposition, we have also implemented process improvements using best-practice principles in 5S and LEAN. LTP has more room to expand and is designed to grow with the global economy. We see several bright spots in the future: for example, LCCs are still on the upswing and will need to be served; base maintenance will commence soon for the current queen of the skies, the A380; more aircraft cabins are waiting to be reconfigured; and we anticipate the arrival of new and diverse customers. By working closely with them to realize the quality and turnaround time they demand, we are confident that our services can stand up to any comparison with our international competitors. In LTP, the Lufthansa Technik Group now has a world-class maintenance center for Airbus aircraft which meets Lufthansa quality standards for international competitiveness. We will continue ensuring that our end-products are imbued with only this quality. Customers, after all, expect no less from a service-minded and motivated team. Sincerely yours,
Bernhard Krueger-Sprengel LTP President & CEO
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Focus: Past and present Thomas Gockel, LTP President (September 2000-December 2003)
LTP became one of the very few good providers for quality A330/A340 overhaul
A Decade of Avi 2000
Lufthansa Technik sets up Manila base With 1,300 employees, LTP starts its operation by providing maintenance and engineering support to Philippine Airlines, and offering line maintenance services to international airlines flying in and out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
MY STORY chronicles the beginning of LTP’s overhaul business. Initially, LTP was established to provide maintenance and engineering support to the PAL fleet. The second leg of development should be to set up LTP as a center for excellence for engine overhaul by utilizing the engine shop and test cell. Following the plan, we have partially overhauled a CF6-50 engine when September 11 led to a break down of the market for that engine type. After 9/11, airlines parked 747-200 aircraft and used engines which were removed from parked aircraft instead of overhauling them. We analyzed the market for the potential of other engine types in our region but the result was that no engine type had sufficient potential to make the necessary investments viable. What our studies showed was that there was an upcoming market for A330 /A340 aircraft overhaul some 1.5 years ahead of us. The downside was there were competitors in the region which already started their preparation for that market. It became clear to us that we needed to be faster in entering the market than the competitors and more importantly, we have to provide quality overhaul. The build up of the capability was a huge project. We relocated offices, rearranged the hangar, installed new roofs, refurbished nearly all the facilities, set up EDP systems, and hired and trained people. All departments were involved to work for our common goal and we succeeded. LTP became one of the very few good providers for quality A330/A340 overhaul. It has been 11 years ago that I went to the Philippines and now 10 years since we started LTP, but the memories are still very fresh. It was an important period in my professional life and I am proud to have been a part of this success story. W
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2003
LTP welcomes first European heavy maintenance customer Work immediately begins on the A330 aircraft operated by LTP’s first third-party customer, Austrian Airlines.
2001 Lufthansa Airlines inaugural D-check in Manila The second production line for heavy maintenance of the A330/A340 aircraft opens with the entry of Lufthansa German Airlines A340 aircraft.
2004 LTP gears up for A330/A340 overhaul Modernization goes full blast as LTP prepares to commence its A330/A340 heavy maintenance operation. Concurrent with the more than US$20 mio- worth facility upgrades, LTP sends several manpower deployments to Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg and Shannon Aerospace in Ireland to gain first-hand exposure in aircraft overhaul.
2002
EPAR Production starts The Engine Parts and Accessories Repair (EPAR) business unit accepts low-pressure turbine shrouds for repair.
2005 First Airbus D-check in Manila starts The first production line for heavy maintenance of the A330/A340 aircraft opens with the overhaul of a Philippine Airlines A340 aircraft.
LTP is now JAR-145 approved EASA grants LTP JAR-145 approval, enabling LTP to offer line and base maintenance services to EASA- registered aircraft and aircraft of other nationalities that follow the European standard.
Lufthansa Technical Training Philippines (LTTP) opens facility within the LTP compound The close cooperation between LTP and the training school ensures that LTP is provided with the next generation of well-trained and certified aircraft mechanics, as well as help maintain a reliable workforce in order for LTP to deliver on its commitment to provide professional maintenance services to its customers.
LTP starts its heavy maintenance operation for the A320 aircraft The arrival of a Lufthansa A320 aircraft signals the start of LTP’s A320 heavy maintenance operation.
Focus: Past and present
ation Excellence 2006
2008
Dr. Andreas Heizner, LTP President (July 2003-December 2006)
LTP has the determination to achieve excellence because they are proud of what they do
Growing roster of base maintenance customers LTP’s base maintenance customers increase in numbers, including some of the most reputable operators worldwide such as Qantas Airways.
2007
Working as one More than a hundred mechanics and trainees from Lufthansa Technik Malta (LTM) complete apprenticeship in performing base maintenance checks on the A330/A340 aircraft at LTP. LTP initiates engine teardown project LTP launches two engine teardown lines capable of disassembling CFM56-3, -5A, -5C, CF6-80C, and PW4000.
2009 LTP opens new hangar A new wide-body hangar rises to accommodate increasing demand for base maintenance checks of Airbus A330/A340 operators.
Celebrating 100 A330/A340 heavy maintenance checks LTP’s completes its 100th A330/A340 heavy maintenance check further advancing its position as one of the leading providers of overhaul for Airbus aircraft worldwide.
2010 A380 makes landing in Manila Flying in from Melbourne on a series of test flights, the mammoth airliner lands at the 3737m-long Runway 24 of Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. LTP provides assistance for this important moment in Philippine aviation.
Virgin Atlantic Airways selects LTP as its long-term partner in Asia The British carrier seals a five-year base maintenance agreement with LTP which covers its entire Airbus A340 fleet consisting of seven Airbus A340-300s and 19 Airbus A340-600s. LTP now offers cabin window repair capability Cabin window repair shop opens, signaling full transfer of the capability from Hamburg to Manila.
AirAsia X appoints LTP as its MRO services provider LTP warmly welcomes the first aircraft from AirAsia X, the world’s first successful low-cost long-haul airline.
A decade of aviation excellence On its 10th year, LTP is a recognized global MRO company, servicing reputable airlines from Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America and now, South America. It is considered as one of the biggest employers in the Philippines with more than 2,700. The total investments in the last 10 years reached almost US$ 98 million, which mostly went to facility upgrades, purchases of tools and equipment, and expansion of capabilities.
AFTER NEARLY four years as President and CEO of Lufthansa Technik Philippines, the greatest experience for me was to work with the Filipinos. On the professional level, I have seen their dedication to their jobs and the company. I was very impressed with the engagement of the employees to reach new targets despite the challenges. Such is their determination to achieve excellence because they are proud of what they do. I believe the training that they receive from the start sparks this pride. There were many times that I had the opportunity of handing over certificates to trainees. I have seen how proud they were for passing all the examinations and how happy they were when they finally get a job at LTP. These moments have left unforgettable memories on my mind. On the personal side, I would always cherish the friendliness and openness of my Filipino colleagues. I would always fondly recall the Oktoberfest celebrations that we had. For me, it is amazing how people can forget their personal problems and challenges to be together with coworkers and friends for a few hours of celebration and camaraderie. To my LTP colleagues, I am very thankful for your friendship and the opportunity of spending four years of my life in your beautiful country. I will remember the Philippines forever. W TechniLink 3rd Quarter 2010
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Focus: 10 and beyond Edison Que LTP Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President - Finance (September 2000-Present)
LTP's future looks promising THE SUCCESS of the company in the past ten years can be attributed to a lot of factors. First, is our company’s biggest asset: Our people. The Filipinos’
hardworking and serviceoriented traits have blended well with the German’s quality and superior engineering skills. Second, the introduction of 5S concepts and LEAN process has streamlined some of our processes thereby resulting to efficiency, shorter turnaround time, and cost reduction. And third, are the improvements in our IT bet system and has eliminated some of our manual processes.
With the accomplishments and success that the company is reaping right now, LTP is not resting on its laurels. Looking forward, the company has plans of introducing new projects such as the A380 business, the B747 cabin reconfiguration, the low cost carrier concept for the A320 overhaul business, and so forth. Thus, the future of the company looks promising as we embark into a world of opportunities in our business. W
Growing with LTP Trainees' journey to the world of aviation While Lufthansa Technik Philippines was establishing it capability for base maintenance for the A330/A340 aircraft, several batches of young men and women were also building up their careers in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul. Just out of high school, these young boys and girls entered LTP’s premises as trainees of the JAR-66 Category A program that LTP gives to deserving and qualified students. Recruited from Dualtech, a vocational training center that espouses the German ‘dual education’ system, these LTP trainees were selected from the best products of the training center’s six-month-long electromechanical courses. By the end of the two-year training program, the trainees are qualified to perform simple maintenance tasks. The training program has produced 342 graduates, 314 of whom were immediately hired by LTP after a series of interviews and evaluations. Among the graduates of the training program is Froilan Jop, who was part of the first batch of 25 trainees back in October 2001. “I consider myself blessed because of the opportunity that was given to me by LTP. After two years of training under German aviation experts, LTP
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immediately hired me. The same way that the company has invested on me, I am investing the future of my family in this company,” relates Jop who is now a Cabin Mechanic A at LTP’s Aircraft Overhaul Division. Jop shares that he appreciates the fact that as the company grows, he is also seeing developments in himself. “Before I entered LTP, I didn’t have a clear picture of what I want in my life. Then Mr. Michael Paarmann (former LTP Technical Training Manager and General Manager of Lufthansa Technical Training Philippines) talked to us about aviation and MRO. Only then did I see how I want my future to be. I was fortunate to be included in the training program, to be accepted as an employee in 2003 and continue my growth in this career.” He considers his assignment to Lufthansa Technik Malta in 2009 as a highlight of his career in LTP. “I will always treasure the experience and exposure that I got during my six months assignment to Malta,” he says with a smile. Similar to Jop is Niño Marcos, who as a Mechanic A at the Line Maintenance Division was deployed overseas for an assignment. “Our team received very positive feedback from Air Mauritius which requested manpower support from LTP.
Janice del Rosario
Mary Jane Naynes
Personally, I made sure that during my two-month stint there, the quality of my work will make LTP proud,” he shares with pride. Although aviation maybe called a man’s world, the female population also found its way to the JAR-66 Category A training program. Among the 35 alumnae of the program are Mary Jane Naynes and Janice del Rosario, now both Avionics Mechanic A at the Line Maintenance Division. “I wanted to be a pilot but because of financial limitations it was not a possibility. I have been technically inclined so I enrolled in Dualtech. I saw a good opportunity for me when LTP opened the scholarship for girls. Although I cannot be a commercial pilot, I saw a chance to join the aviation industry as a mechanic,” relates del Rosario. Naynes agrees, “I am grateful for the door of opportunity that was opened
to me back in 2003 and the bigger break when LTP hired me in 2005. Through the years I am able to reach my career goals and develop myself into a responsible and dedicated member of the company.” The accomplishments and the attitude displayed by these graduates reflect the quality of training that they received. “From the first day of our training the LTP core values of discipline, responsibility, excellence, commitment, team orientation and reliability were inculcated in us and to this day we always strive to live out these values,” says del Rosario. Jop, Marcos, del Rosario and Naynes are living proofs of the success of the training program. On its 10th year anniversary, LTP continues to have committed, motivated and highly-qualified mechanics who it can count on to shine not only in the Philippines but in other parts of the world for many years to come. W
3rd Quarter
2010
The, world in our hands We ve got it covered across six continents
Phone +63-2-855-9319
Fax +63-2-855-9309
sales@ltp.com.ph
Base maintenance
Air Tahiti Nui makes two visits to LTP Lufthansa Technik Philippines recently completed two C5 checks for one of its long-time customers, Air Tahiti Nui. The checks on the airlines’ A340s were concluded based on the expected quality and turnaround time. “The good relations and communication that we are enjoying with Air Tahiti Nui over the years are helping us improve reliability and the quality of service that we give them,” said Frank Stauch, LTP
Senior Sales Executive. Air Tahiti Nui has been sending its A340 jets to LTP since 2007 for base maintenance checks. “We hope to further strengthen our relationship with Air Tahiti Nui so we can support them in their base maintenance needs in the years to come,” Stauch remarked. Next year, LTP is set to welcome another A340 of Air Tahiti Nui which is due for 4C/6Y check. W
Fresh look for new customer Vietnam Airlines Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) recently completed an exterior paint job which saw a Vietnam Airlines A330 aircraft shed its familiar aquamarine livery to bear the Skyteam logo on its fuselage. This was the first time that Vietnam Airlines contracted LTP for services. “It is a pleasure for us to welcome Vietnam Airlines to LTP. We look forward to broadening our relationship with them and welcoming other Vietnam Airlines aircraft in our facility,” said Dino Santos, LTP Sales Manager. The dramatic change in the livery signaled the Vietnamese national flag carrier’s entry
to the Skyteam Alliance, a global airline alliance providing customers of member airlines access to an extensive global network with more destinations, frequencies and connectivity. Today, Vietnam Airlines’ network extends to 20 cities throughout Vietnam and 40 international destinations in the USA, Europe, Australia and Asia (including code-share services). Although, its well-know livery was changed for this aircraft, it still bears the Vietnam Airlines logo and the gold lotus flower. The Vietnamese see the lotus as a symbol of their ancient culture and their ability to
withstand great adversity and retain their unique traditions. Also, the lotus is associated with enlightenment and
perfection. The gold color symbolizes high quality of the airlines’ product and evokes a sense of luxury. W
TechniLink is published quarterly by Lufthansa Technik Philippines for its customers and friends. editorLiza Martija associate editorCarla Martinez art directorNanie Gonzales adviserDominik Wiener-Silva contactliza.martija@ltp.com.ph
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http://www.ltp.com.ph
Base maintenance
Chile’s LAN is 1st customer from South America LTP becomes MRO provider to six continents AS A testimony to the trust given by the world to Lufthansa Technik Philippines as a reputable maintenance, repair and overhaul provider, South America’s LAN Airlines contracted an Airbus A340 to the Manila-based MRO company for C-check. LAN Airlines is the latest addition to the growing list of airlines which recognize LTP’s expertise in A320, A330/A340 base maintenance. LTP’s customer base covers Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America and now, South America. This development complements LTP’s commemoration of its 10th birthday. “It is with much pleasure that we welcome LAN Airlines, which was recently distinguished as the best airline in South America, to LTP. The entrustment of LAN’s aircraft to LTP gives the celebration of our anniversary a special flavor because it highlights that after 10 years, LTP has become one of the trusted MROs by major airlines worldwide,” said Dominik Wiener-Silva, LTP Vice President for Marketing and Sales. Based in Santiago in Chile, LAN Airlines was again recently voted as the best airline in South America in a survey conducted to 18 million respondents from 100 nationalities by prestigious market research company, Skytrax. LAN has more than 80 years of experience in serving passengers and cargo airlines. It began as a stateowned corporation aimed to provide air transportation services to passengers, cargo and mail. After operating for 60 years as a stateowned company, the Chilean government
in 1989 sold 51% of its share to national investors and to the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), the onset of the privatization process. In 1994, the current partners and company controllers jointly with other main shareholders acquired 98.7% of the company´s assets, including the stateowned portion. Since then, LAN began definitive expansion initiatives. One of these initiatives is its membership in the year 2000 with oneworld (TM), an alliance among leading airlines worldwide establishing commercial bilateral agreements with
American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Qantas, Alaska Airlines, AeroMexico, Mexicana, TAM and Korean Air; allowing its customers to attain real global reach. During the same year, LAN began its Airbus passenger fleet renovation program with 27 new airplanes. In 2004, a corporate image change took place and the company became LAN Airlines S.A. Brand uniformity allows the customers to better identify high service and safety standards provided by LAN Airlines, LAN Express, LAN Peru, LAN Ecuador and LAN Argentina, including LAN Cargo and its affiliates. W
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Line maintenance
Manpower on the fast line Delivering success on routine and emergency checks WHILE ROUTINE services may sound less complex than an aircraft overhaul, there is an entirely different world that moves around the line maintenance sector of a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company making it equally challenging on its own. At Lufthansa Technik Philippines, this world is intensely driven by highlyskilled and reliable manpower resource available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. LTP Line Maintenance Manager Oscar Aloc, and LTP Sales Manager Dino Santos share with Technilink how knowledge and expertise of the workforce turn this side up of the business. What training do LTP's line mechanics have to undergo to perform and handle routine and emergency services? Aloc: Line mechanics have to be rated for particular aircraft types which they can service. Here in LTP, we provide task-based and formal classroom training. What follows is training for a very crucial task in documentation and procedures. Once all these required training programs have been successfully accomplished, the Quality Management department endorses the trained mechanics to our customer airlines. The airline then authorizes the mechanic to carry out maintenance for their aircraft. That is how they get rated. It does sound rigorous, and this is why I can say that our hired and certified mechanics are some of the best out there. It takes specialization of the skill to pull off their tasks. What special preparations do mechanics set up for themselves to get ready for a customer? Aloc: Our line maintenance
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mechanics are gathered for a briefing with the customer for the airline’s own documentation and procedures regulation. Since ground time demands a very quick turnaround of about less than two hours, it’s crucial for the mechanics to be wellinformed on several important matters such as where to get the right tools and the right contacts to perform the task efficiently. We have mechanics who are also skilled and rated with handling aircraft operating under ETOPS (Extendedrange Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards), a special directive allowing airlines for their twin-engined aircraft to take a diverted route under a certain approved flight time. How about for noncustomer airlines seeking technical assistance? Aloc: First, we ask the operator of the aircraft: What are the special procedures that you need? What kind of authorization or license would you require from us? Mechanics who are rated for the airline’s particular aircraft type may be deployed in these instances. How do you keep your men abreast on the latest
developments in this field of the business? Aloc: We take training programs seriously not just because the company heavily invests in it, but also because of the need to know the changing needs of the market. Aside from this, we do technical advisories as often as we could. LTP implements a common practice called the ‘Read and Sign’. The technical advisories function under this process where our mechanics read regular advisories and sign for acknowledgment. All these keep our men informed. What are some of the most important day-to-day decisions that have to be carried out by your team? Aloc: The most important decision that is to be made by our line mechanics will always be on the aircraft’s Releaseto-Service. It follows that if the team is certain of their compliance to all regulations, the safety of the passengers is secured. This is, after all, what is given topmost priority in carrying out their tasks. Following safety is the turnaround time. If the aircraft happens to have a technical fault, we decide whether it should be deferred for the
next available ground time or provide solution for the problem now prior to the next flight. We have to be able to release the aircraft in time for its departure. What is the most challenging part in handling an AOG scenario? Santos: An AOG is often characterized as a crisis moment. For the airline, any additional minute that an aircraft is on ground means additional cost for the company. This also translates to passenger inconvenience and misconnecting flights. On the other hand, an AOG situation is always a potential for LTP to showcase its technical expertise in supporting airlines by providing experts and materials to rectify the defects. A challenge during AOG is keeping constant communication between the airline’s Maintenance Control Center and the airline’s local representatives. Surely anxious passengers and crew members would like to have an idea of the next possible departure slot. The estimated time of defect rectification can determine whether the crew is still legal to operate, given the new departure time, or whether or not the passengers need to be sent to a hotel due to the expected long delay. The communication between LTP mechanics and the airlines is very crucial during any AOG situation. Airlines always expect their MRO to have a sense of urgency. This could mean having a person in charge always on standby to answer queries pertaining to the delay. How has line maintenance, as one of LTP's core businesses, developed through the years? Santos: During the earlier days of LTP, most of the
Line maintenance services provided by LTP were limited to technical support services only. This was due mainly to the limited capability LTP had during the start-up period. In technical support, our mechanics only assist the releasing engineer of the airline. However, the needs of the airlines have changed over the years. More and more airlines are outsourcing line maintenance including Release-to-Service of the aircraft. This means that the airlines would now fully depend on the MRO to provide maintenance-related services including handling of materials and spare parts. For LTP, the challenge was to develop more capabilities on various aircraft types which meant applying for more line maintenance approvals from various aviation authorities worldwide, providing additional aircraft type training to qualify more of our personnel, and having the required aircraft specific tools to provide the service. Majority of the airlines currently handled by LTP now require full service including Release-to-Service. LTP has further expanded the business also by entering the foreign market through the Personnel Assignment program (see page 6). Under the program, LTP provides manpower support both for base and line maintenance. For the latter, skills-transfer and task support had already taken place in airlines such as Air Mauritius and Etihad Airways as well as within the Lufthansa Technik Group in Munich. We continue to offer this personnel service even with other MRO companies today. LTP performs line maintenance services to fifty percent of local and international airlines operating in the Philippines. The following aircraft types are covered by this capability: A319/A320/ A321, A330-200/300, A340200/300/600, B737, B747-400, B767-300, and B777-200/300. Call LTP’s AOG desk hotline: +63 (2) 855-9122. W
Virgin Atlantic’s engineering team celebrates 21 years Virgin Atlantic Airways (VAA) is keeping it red hot as it recently celebrated the 21st year anniversary of the British airline’s Engineering department. To give sweet recognition to this milestone, Lufthansa Technik Phlippines (LTP) presented a themed cake to the VAA team in its LTP customer office. “We are very delighted to have Virgin Atlantic technical representatives here in LTP as their engineering department celebrates 21 years of continued success. This cake represents LTP’s wishes for the team’s many happy returns,” says Dominik Wiener-Silva, LTP Vice President for Marketing and Sales. VAA Engineering has many celebrated milestones since its inception during the late 80’s. From simpler tasks which involved writing procedures and looking at maintenance schedules, it has grown to
be a valuable group in the airline company after several aircraft deliveries and acquired approvals. Further solidifying grounds for the engineering team was an undergraduate scheme established in 2001 which allowed VAA to acquire its first award for being a provider of work experience. Presently in LTP, the engineering team of the carrier is responsible for quality oversight as per Part M and on-site liaison with LTP. “As we move through the third year of our contract with LTP, we have seen on-site quality improvements. This ongoing effort is allowing us to now focus more on the operational performance, as well as further improvements in other areas. Along with this, we can now spend more time developing our relationship with LTP,” shares Phil Wardlaw, VAA Outsourced Base Maintenance Manager. W
Compassion beyond borders REACHING OUT to those in need has no boundaries. Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) demonstrated this when it recently donated to the earthquake victims in Chile. Dominik Wiener-Silva, LTP Vice President for Marketing and Sales, handed over the donation amounting to US$5,000 to LAN Airlines executives during a recent visit. “On behalf of the 2,700 men and women of Lufthansa Technik Philippines, let me express my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of lives and destruction of properties brought about by the earthquake. It is our hope that this donation may be able to contribute in rebuilding lives,” Wiener-Silva said.
Justin Siegel, LAN Airlines B787 Program Director and Cristian Leon, LAN Airlines Powerplant, Components and Materials Vice President received the donation from WienerSilva. W TechniLink 3rd Quarter 2010
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Personal Assignment
Technical support goes global Highly skilled LTP teams provide maintenance in customer sites THE DRIVING force behind any successful maintenance check is a team of highly skilled team of individuals who have mastered the art of problem solving. At Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP), aircraft mechanics have been trained to be competent and to be at par with some of the world’s best in aircraft maintenance. Back in year 2004, Lufthansa Technik maintenance station in Munich underwent a manpower shortage that had required Lufthansa Technik Philippines to send five of its mechanics to provide support to their line maintenance services on the A330/A340 aircraft. Highly satisfied with the skills and attitude exhibited by the Filipino mechanics, LHT Munich continued to request
more skilled personnel from LTP to augment their workforce. “LTP has supported Munich’s line maintenance requirement for several years now. Depending on the season, they would require 10-20 Filipino technicians to work on Lufthansa’s longrange aircraft based in Munich,” explains LTP Sales Manager Dino Santos. To date, a total of 144 mechanics have already been assigned to Munich to work with German colleagues.
Address: MacroAsia Special Economic Zone, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City 1309 Philippines Phone: +63-2-855-9311 AOG desk: +63-2-855-9122 E-mail: sales@ltp.com.ph Website: www.ltp.com.ph
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The success of the initial manpower deployment led LTP to develop the Personnel Assignment program as one of its core business offerings today. Since then, LTP has been sending highly qualified mechanics and engineers to LHT subsidiaries, thirdparty customers and MRO organizations worldwide to provide training support both for line and base maintenance services. Aside from Munich, staff assignment within the LHT group included Frankfurt, Hamburg, Shannon, Budapest and Malta. For third party customers, Air Mauritius and Etihad Airways were also among those supported by LTP’s mechanics. LTP over the years has been chosen as a choice destination for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, but apart from this capability, the Manilabased facility had seen a growing demand for technical manpower support which
it is able to provide from its own human resource pool. “LTP is now a sought after provider of personnel support because of the varying degree of skills and competency that our mechanics possess. The years of experience and the ability to converse well in the English language allow them to carry out their tasks successfully in their respective assignments,” shares Santos. “Our customers always had good words to share about the working attitude of LTP’s personnel. Generally, they find them good-natured and fast learners. These make us highly marketable in terms of technical manpower support.” LTP’s Personnel Assignment program offers technical support services for aircraft MRO-related services in line maintenance, base maintenance, non-destructive testing (NDT), quality assurance and other technical services. Deployment period ranges from three to six months and can be tailor fitted depending on customer requirements. LTP’s technical support is ideal to cover any peak periods where temporary staffing is required. W
Leaning towards Asia. In an eventful three-day Lufthansa Technik LEAN Summit in Asia, LEAN practitioners and experts from Lufthansa Technik Shenzen (LTS), Ameco Beijing, Lufthansa Technik Qantas Engineering (LTQ), Airfoil Services (ASSB), and Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) gathered in the Manila-based MRO facility for an intensive exchange of ideas and actual experiences in implementation of the LEAN practice.