At the Dubai Airshow, Air Arabia has significantly expanded its long-standing partnership with Lufthansa Technik by signing a major, long-term engine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) agreement. The new contract covers the comprehensive servicing of CFM56-5B engines that power the airline’s entire fleet of 43 Airbus A320ceo aircraft, extending their collaboration until 2033.
This strategic move centralizes the engine MRO work for Air Arabia’s core fleet at Lufthansa Technik’s specialized workshop in Hamburg, Germany. The first engine has already arrived, marking the start of a program that will secure operational reliability for the airline’s workhorse aircraft for the next decade. This engine deal represents a substantial broadening of the partnership beyond previous component support.
In a parallel agreement, Lufthansa Technik Middle East (LTME) will continue to provide specialized nose radome repair services for Air Arabia for another five years. Utilizing LTME’s expertise in composite materials, this service covers the airline’s existing and future fleet, highlighting the localized support infrastructure in the region.
Air Arabia, the MENA region’s first and largest low-cost carrier, and Lufthansa Technik celebrate a decade of collaboration that began at the same airshow in 2013. The relationship has evolved from initial Airframe Related Components (ARC) services to a multi-faceted strategic alliance. Earlier in 2024, the partnership was expanded through a Total Component Services contract, granting Air Arabia access to Lufthansa Technik’s global aircraft parts pool.
Tim Butzmann, Senior Director Corporate Sales Middle East and Africa at Lufthansa Technik, stated that the new engine MRO contract “goes far beyond a simple continuation” and “writes a whole new chapter” in their collaboration. Ziad Al-Hazmi, CEO of Lufthansa Technik Middle East, emphasized that the extended partnership is a “testament to their trust and confidence in our services.”
This series of agreements underscores a trend of low-cost carriers forging deep, integrated partnerships with leading MRO providers to ensure cost-effective, high-quality technical support. For Air Arabia, it guarantees fleet stability and technical excellence as it continues its growth. For Lufthansa Technik, it solidifies a key client relationship in a strategically vital aviation market, showcasing its full-service capabilities from component repairs to full engine overhauls.
