Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) and Lufthansa Technik Middle East (LTME) have signed an agreement to cooperate in the field of aircraft component services.

The deal was signed during the MRO Middle East 2023 event being held this week (1-2 March) in Dubai.

Lufthansa Technik will provide its Total Component Support (TCS) services on Saudia’s 57 aircraft strong Boeing 777 and 787 fleets over the next ten years.

The TCS contract encompasses 39 Boeing 777s (35 777-300ER and four 777F) and 18 Boeing 787s (13 787-9 and five 787-10). For all these aircraft, SAEI will gain 24/7 access to Lufthansa Technik’s global components pool. The TCS includes an AOG (aircraft on ground) support that Lufthansa Technik said “guarantees shortest possible delivery for time-critical components”.

Lufthansa Technik will also support SAEI in further enhancing its in-house component capabilities. Future fields of cooperation in both scope and functionality, especially in the area of digitalising MRO processes and the related supply chains, are already envisioned, the companies said.

The signed agreement will form the basis of the projected ‘MRO Community of Excellence’. Initially discussed at the Future of Aviation Forum in Riyadh last year, the concept aims at attracting regional players to join forces in shaping the sustainable growth of the MRO industry. Currently in advanced stages of discussion, the project is expected “to encourage the collaboration deemed essential for sustainable and rapid growth through human capital development, advanced technologies and standardised practices”.

SAEI’s chief executive officer Fahd H. Cynndy (above right) commented: “Combining our unique position in one of the fastest growing aviation markets globally – the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – with the experience and expertise of a global MRO leader such as Lufthansa Technik will create a regional aircraft maintenance powerhouse that is truly commensurate with the strategic ambitions of this sector in the Kingdom.”

LTME’s chief executive officer Ziad Al Hazmi (above left) said: “We are honoured to be considered as part of the impressive aviation ecosystem that is evolving in this highly dynamic and fast growing region. It is our great pleasure to do our bit in supporting the development of the aviation stream of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”