Lufthansa Technik is expanding is presence in the South American market through a new partnership struck with Chilean carrier JetSMART.

The five-year deal covers extensive CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation) support and aircraft engineering services including maintenance support or modification and component management.

The collaboration has already begun and will initially cover 25 Airbus A320 family aircraft. The JetSMART fleet is expected to increase rapidly until 2027.

Lufthansa Technik has set up on-site support for the airline in Santiago de Chile to ensure the best possible service.

Georgios Ouzounidis, Vice President Corporate Sales Americas at Lufthansa Technik, said: “We are proud that we can now also welcome the Chilean JetSMART among our customers.

“It is an honour that we are now working with another major airline of the Indigo Partners Group.”

Estuardo Ortiz, chief executive of JetSMART, added: “JetSMART appreciates the knowledge Lufthansa Technik has in regard to aircraft engineering services.

“We were looking not only for a supplier. We were looking for a partner that can support our growth, is flexible enough to adapt to our AOC setup and is providing safe and stable processes.”

“Engineering and CAMO are mission-critical areas,” said Christian Dieckert, head of engineering services at Lufthansa Technik.

“We are therefore very pleased with the trust JetSMART has placed in us and, of course, with the positive feedback we are receiving from our new partners.”