Press archive detail

Beijing, China, September 22, 2011 – MTU Maintenance Zhuhai and Japanese Skynet Asia Airways (SNA) will be cooperating on the maintenance of CFM56-7 engines operated by the airline. A contract to this effect was inked by Toshio Kurokawa, General Manager, Maintenance and Engineering, SNA, and Holger Sindemann, President MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, at the Aviation Expo China this Thursday, September 22. The agreement now concluded runs for an initial five years; if renewed for another five years, it will cover the engines powering 13 Boeing 737NG jets that are currently going into service with the Japanese airline.

SNA already counts among MTU's customers and sends its CFM56-3 engines to the Zhuhai-based company for shop visits. The new contract strengthens MTU's position as a maintenance services provider to SNA, while at the same time helping MTU Maintenance Zhuhai to move forward with its plans to expand its activities in Japan.

Skynet Asia Airways is a Japanese low-fare airline, which made its first flight in 2002. From July 1, 2011, when introducing Boeing 737-800, it is called Solaseed Air. The new brand positioning talks about spreading seeds of smiles, which is reflected in the logo, the pistachio green color and identity applications.

A joint venture of MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airlines, one of the country's largest airlines, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai is the largest MRO shop for commercial engines in China. The company specializes in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of V2500 and CFM56-3, -5B and -7 engines; this year, it is celebrating its tenth year in the business. 

About MTU Aero Engines
MTU Aero Engines is Germany's leading engine manufacturer and the country's only independent engine builder. The company is an established, global player in the industry. MTU has a workforce of more than 8,000 employees worldwide and, in fiscal 2010, posted consolidated sales of some 2.7 billion euros. A technology leader, MTU excels in low-pressure turbines and high-pressure compressors, manufacturing and repair techniques. MTU Maintenance is the world's largest independent provider of commercial engine MRO services. In the military arena, MTU is Germany's industrial lead company for practically all engines flown by the country's armed forces.