Lufthansa Technik to be handle Qatar C-Checks

The programme is expected to take around two and a half years to complete and the checks will be performed on a total of nine Airbus A320 Family narrow-bodies and 15 Airbus A330 wide-bodies.

The carrier’s boss Akbar Al Baker said: “Lufthansa Technik satisfied all Qatar Airways’ demanding requirements to perform C4-Checks on our A320 and A330 aircraft. Lufthansa understands the commercial need for our aircraft to have minimum ground time while also ensuring the highest standards achievable.

“Qatar Airways operates one of the youngest fleet of aircraft in the skies, and we are proud to be at the forefront of aviation safety, having earlier this year completed our fourth IATA Operational Safety Audit with 100% compliance,” said Al Baker.

Lufthansa Technik recently upgraded its maintenance operation in Malta to include wide-body aircraft such as the A330 type that will be serviced under the C4-Check agreement with Qatar Airways. Lufthansa Technik’s Maltese facility is considered an ideal plant for carriers from Europe and the Middle East to conduct aircraft maintenance checks given its proximity and quick turnaround times.

An aircraft check is generally classified into one of four categories: A, B, C, or D. The A and B checks are considered light and conducted on a regular basis, while C and D checks are more thorough, with a C check conducted on an aircraft every 12-18 months or following a certain number of hours in service. D checks are usually conducted every four to five years, and involve partial dismantling of the aircraft to allow the most exhaustive inspection of all aspects of an aircraft.