Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has solidified a major, long-term partnership with the Lufthansa Group by signing a comprehensive 14-year Fleet Management Agreement. This significant contract covers the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for the entire fleet of 41 APS5000 auxiliary power units (APUs) installed on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft operated by both Lufthansa Airlines and Austrian Airlines. As a subsidiary of RTX, Pratt & Whitney underscores its commitment to providing unparalleled customer service and technical support through this extensive agreement.
Anthony Rossi, Vice President of Customer Service at P&WC, emphasized the critical role of the APS5000, which provides essential electrical power when the main engines are off and simultaneously powers the electric starters for engine start, making it vital for dispatch reliability. He confirmed that the customized maintenance plan is designed to be flexible, ensuring predictable maintenance costs for the airlines while simultaneously maximizing APU performance and extending long maintenance intervals. This strategic approach directly supports the operational goals of the Lufthansa Group.
Echoing this sentiment, Binoj Sebastian, Senior Director of Technical Procurement at Lufthansa Airlines, stated that the growing Boeing 787 fleet is a cornerstone of their long-haul operations. He highlighted that this long-term agreement prioritizes the key pillars of operational reliability, commercial efficiency, and technical innovation. Sebastian expressed the group’s confidence in the APS5000 and its original equipment manufacturer (OEM), P&WC, as the ideal partner to deliver consistent value and proven expertise to their daily operations.
The APS5000 APU is renowned as the quietest in its class and boasts the industry’s lowest emissions. With a proven track record of over 1,400 units produced and a combined fleet that has accumulated nearly 16 million flight hours, the engine’s reliability is well-established. This agreement ensures that Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines will benefit from this superior product performance, directly supporting the continued availability and outstanding efficiency of their Dreamliner fleets for years to come.
