The technology subsidiary of Lufthansa wants to completely digitize the maintenance of aircraft.
(Photo: dpa)
Frankfurt The Lufthansa management apparently wants to expand the subsidiary Lufthansa Technik (LHT) into one of the leading digital specialists for aircraft maintenance. This is indicated by several decisions in recent weeks.
The IT consulting firm Lufthansa Industry Solutions – previously a subsidiary of the Group with around 2,300 employees – will become part of the technology division. A spokesman for LHT confirmed the relevant information from the Handelsblatt.
Just a few days ago, the technology subsidiary announced the takeover of Swiss Aviation Software. The company previously belonged to the Lufthansa airline Swiss and developed the software Amos, with which maintenance work on aircraft can be digitized. LHT had previously acquired British start-up Flydocs. Its software makes it possible to digitize aircraft documents, which play a central role in the sale of the jet, for example.
All three companies supplement Lufthansa Technik’s own software solution. With the so-called Aviatar, the maintenance of aircraft can be optimized. For example, the wear and tear of parts on the jet is reported at an early stage. The replacement can be planned in the normal maintenance cycle, the aircraft are less likely to fail.
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Together with the digital experts from Lufthansa Industry Solutions, Lufthansa Technik wants to combine all these solutions into a complete digital process for aircraft maintenance. Internally, there is talk of the “Digital Tech Ops Ecosystem”.
When it comes to aircraft maintenance, a lot is still done on paper. For example, work cards record what needs to be done on an aircraft and what has been done. In the future, these maps will be created digitally.
Partial sale of Lufthansa Technik is progressing
Even though Lufthansa Industry Solutions is now part of Lufthansa Technik, the company will remain an independent entity. This is important because the company does not only advise companies in the aviation industry. The website mentions more than 300 customers from the automotive sector, industry, logistics and aviation.
The strategy of the Lufthansa management to strengthen the maintenance subsidiary digitally should also be followed closely by external investors. Lufthansa wants to sell 20 percent of the shares in LHT – preferably to an investor, alternatively via a partial IPO. The group’s management expects proceeds of up to 1.5 billion euros. According to the management, it is more important than the money that the investor helps to strategically develop LHT.
In an internal letter last week, the management of LHT informed the workforce that talks with “selected investors” would begin at the end of January. According to the announcement, two rounds are planned that “are expected to last into the summer”.
This coincides with information from financial circles. After that, investors expect to submit binding offers in the summer. The financial investors Advent, CVC, KKR, CD&R and Apollo are said to be among the bidders. The names Bain and Blackstone are also mentioned.
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