Finnair

Lufthansa Technik has secured a contract with Finnair to provide component support for the airline’s Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.

The 12-deal is said to be the first contract for A350 XWB component support from Europe’s first A350 XWB operator.

The total support package will cover repair services of A350 XWB components.

Finnair technical operations vice-president Jari Huhtinen said: "The new A350 XWB aircraft form the backbone of our growth strategy, and component support agreement is one part of our thorough preparations for the aircraft’s arrival."

The carrier’s maintenance unit at the Helsinki Airport will oversee line maintenance of its current fleet and the A350 XWB fleet.

"This first contract for component support for the newest Airbus aircraft is a terrific vote of confidence from our customer Finnair."

Finnair currently has 19 A350 XWB aircraft on order with Airbus and expects to receive the first four aircraft in the second half of this year.

The airline will receive another seven airliners between 2016 and 2017 with plans to fulfil the order by 2023.

Lufthansa Technik currently provides Finnair with engine-related components service for V2500 engines and APU services for APS3200.

Commenting on the latest contract, Lufthansa Technik CEO Johannes Bussmann said: "This first contract for component support for the newest Airbus aircraft is a terrific vote of confidence from our customer Finnair."

Lufthansa Technik provides various technical services for aviation industry, including maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification and conversion, engines and components. The company has a workforce of 26,000 across its more than 30 subsidiaries and associates.

Image: Finnair’s deal is the first A350 XWB contract for Lufthansa Technik. Photo: courtesy of Airbus SAS 2014 / master films.