LHT Signs TMO Contract with Saudi LCC

Jan 21, 2009
By Frank Jackman/AviationWeek.com



DUBAI--Sama Airlines, a Saudi Arabia-based low cost carrier that launched operations in 2006, awarded a seven-year material and engineering services contract to Lufthansa Technik. The Total Material Operations (TMO) covers all material operations, including pooling, MRO services and the supply of all aircraft materials from consumables and expendables to cabin parts in support of Sama's fleet off six Boeing 737-300s. Sama also operates a Jetstream 41. LHT will be providing on-site management services at Sama maintenance hub in Dammam. The contract was announced Jan. 21 on the first day of AVIATION WEEK'S MRO Middle East Conference & Exhibition in Dubai.

Following the contract signing, Mark Breen, Sama's chief operating officer, said the airline decided to go with LHT after positive experience using the MRO to overhaul landing gear in Prague. The fact that LHT already is well-establish with other customers in Saudi Arabia also played a role in the decision, he said. The transition period to LHT from SR Technics, with whom Sama announced a contract in 2006, already has begun, Breen said.

In addition, Sama has decided to bring in-house its line maintenance, which had been covered under the contract with SR Technics. According to Breen and Walter Heerdt, SVP of marketing and sales for LHT, the German MRO will help Sama ramp up its line maintenance ability.

Sama's engines are covered by an agreemet with GE, Breen said. Airframe C checks currently are handled by myTECHNIC in Turkey.

Photo credit: Lufthansa Technik -- Bruce Ashby, CEO of Sama and Walter Heerdt, Senior VP of marketing and sales of Lufthansa Technik