MTU Maintenance wins contract to maintain Southwest’s CFM56-3 engines

Vancouver, Canada, 20 February 2013 – MTU Maintenance Canada and Southwest Airlines, the world’s largest low-cost carrier, have signed an exclusive long term agreement for the maintenance of Southwest’s CFM56-3 engines. “This agreement is a significant step forward for MTU Maintenance,” said Dr. Stefan Weingartner, President and CEO Commercial Maintenance at MTU Aero Engines. “We are very proud to be cooperating with Southwest Airlines on this important project.”

With its exclusive Boeing 737 fleet, Southwest Airlines is one of the largest CFM56 operators in the world and an important customer for MTU Maintenance. Under the agreement, MTU Maintenance will provide Southwest Airlines with a Total Engine Care (TEC®) program in order to generate additional value for the airline’s CFM56-3 engines. “MTU Maintenance will collaborate with Southwest on the management of technical, material and commercial challenges related to the CFM56-3 engines for our Boeing 737 Classic fleet,” said Bill Tiffany, Senior Director Supply Chain Management at Southwest. “Together, we have designed and executed a closed loop material solution and anticipate significant cost savings over the life of the agreement compared to a traditional maintenance program.”

MTU Maintenance Canada focuses on the repair and overhaul of CF6-50 and CFM56-3 engines. The wholly-owned MTU affiliate also provides specialized support for engine accessories. After a significant increase of its accessory repair business, the company has opened a new Accessory Repair Centre (A.R.C.) this June 2012, allowing the company to offer customers increased accessory repair capabilities and a wider product portfolio. The agreement with Southwest Airlines also covers the engine accessory repairs for its CFM56-3 engines.