Lufthansa Technik to build new MRO facility in Portugal
Lufthansa Technik will build a new facility roughly 35 kilometers south of Porto to expand its capacities for the repair of engine parts and aircraft components. The future plant of Lufthansa Technik Portugal is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and will be equipped with the latest technologies in the MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) industry. The company will create more than 700 jobs which interested candidates can apply for as early as next year. Lufthansa Technik recently acquired the 230,000 square meter property in the “Lusopark” business park in Santa Maria da Feira and acknowledged the signing of the purchase agreement together with representatives from politics and business in Portugal. Teams from Lufthansa Technik worked for several months to find the ideal location for this multi-million Euro investment. www.lufthansa-technik.com
EASA report on the EU SAF market
The EASA has published the "State of the EU SAF market in 2023" report, which provides significant insights into the state of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) market in the European Union (EU). The report includes: reference prices for the different fuel types eligible under Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 (the “ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation”); an assessment on the SAF production capacity for the EU; and an outline of emerging trends in the SAF production market.
The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, sets targets for a minimum percentage of SAF to be used as a blend with jet fuel in air operations as a means to steadily reduce the sector’s CO2 emissions. The mandatory use of SAF starts with a minimum of 2% in 2025. This percentage will increase gradually. There is also a sub-mandate for the use of synthetic SAF, which have an even higher potential for reducing CO2 emissions. www.easa.europa.eu
CFM LEAP 1 durability upgrade awarded FAA-EASA certification
The U.S. FAA and the European aviation regulator EASA certified the updated high-pressure turbine (HPT) hardware durability kit for the CFM LEAP-1A engines that power Airbus A320neo family aircraft. The durability kit was designed to increase time on wing, especially in hot and harsh environments, and includes the HPT stage 1 blade, stage 1 nozzle, and forward inner nozzle support. To ensure that the improvements would address durability challenges in harsh environments, CFM worked with a team of geologists to engineer dust that mimicked what engines experience in these environments around the world.
The engine maker, jointly owned by GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, has been working in recent years to address problems that have kept LEAPs from achieving durability targets. The company is now testing a blade-durability kit for LEAP-1Bs, which power the Boeing 737 Max. The durability issues with newer-generation LEAP engines and Pratt & Whitney GTF engines have exacerbated a logjam in maintenance capacity. After the pandemic, turnaround times at engine repair shops rose by 35% for legacy engines and more than 150% for new-generation engines, according to consulting firm Bain & Company.
People: IADA names Louis C. Seno, Jr. as Executive Director
The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) announced that Louis C. Seno, Jr. will assume the role of Executive Director on Jan. 1, 2025, succeeding Wayne Starling, who has served in the position since Oct. 2018. Wayne Starling will continue to support the organization in a special advisory capacity to Seno through April 2025, providing guidance to ensure a seamless transition. Seno’s extensive industry experience positions him well for his new position. In his capacity as Executive Director of IADA, he will serve on the organization’s Board of Directors. Seno is also Chairman Emeritus and a Special Advisor to the Board of Directors of Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI). His career includes executive roles at Boeing Capital Corporation’s business aircraft units and GE Capital Solutions, reflecting a longstanding commitment to the aviation industry. Seno currently serves on the Board of Directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). He also holds the position of Chairman of the West Michigan Aviation Academy Foundation Board, serves on the Foundation Board of Daytona State College, and is a board member of the National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA). In addition, he has maintained a longstanding association with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he serves on the Industry Advisory Board for the College of Engineering. Seno is an experienced general aviation pilot and aircraft owner with over 7,000 hours of flight time. He was given the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, which honors individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise throughout at least 50 years of piloting.
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