FL Technics Engine Services has begun work for its first clients at its new engine MRO quick turn activities shop in Kaunas, Lithuania.

The FL Technics subsidiary recently received Part-145 approval for the facility from the Transport Competency Agency of the Republic of Lithuania (TCA), approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The shop offers airlines, lessors and asset management organisations tailor-made solutions for optimising an engine’s lifecycle, FL Technics Engine Services said. CFM56-3, CFM6-5B and CFM56-7B engines can be serviced at the facility.

The first contract signed covers two CFM56-3C1s. FL Technics’ head of engine, airframe and materials services Julius Bogusevicius commented: “The CFM56-3C1 remains a valuable asset and a popular engine type in its niche, especially in Europe, [so] preservation and long-term storage procedures are in high demand.

“The first of the engines we are starting to service is [currently] being re-preserved for a lessor. This will maintain engine value until a decision for further actions – repair or teardowns – is made.

“The second engine is considered a spare engine and the airline, our client, would like to keep it ready for immediate operation in case of a potential AOG (aircraft on ground) situation.”

FL Technics Engine Services’ chief executive officer Valerij Deveikis noted that the facility’s integration with the FL Technics base maintenance hangars, warehouses and logistic infrastructure allowed it “to fix engine problems significantly faster”.

Assessing the impact of the new facility, FL Technics Engine, Airframes and Material Services’ chief analyst Andrey Baydarov commented: “With the current oil prices, lease rates and the demand, the 737-300/-400 will stay the main short-haul narrowbodied freighters in Europe, with the slight diversification of 737NG/A320ceo freighters, powered by CFM56-7B and CFM56-5B.

“All these factors determine that FL Technics Engine Services capabilities for quick turn activities for CFM56-3, CFM6-5B and CFM56-7B make the company diversified, stable and Covid-19-resistant.

“Solutions such as engine preservation, storage and hot section, or light repairs are revived during this moment of uncertainty, cargo boom and low utilisation, as airlines and asset owners are quite careful with long-term planning.”