‍DALLAS — WestJet (WS) and Lufthansa Technik have announced an exclusive aircraft engine maintenance agreement.

Under this contract, Lufthansa Technik will maintain the CFM International LEAP-1B engines of WestJet’s Boeing 737 fleet. This 15-year, multi-billion-dollar agreement is the largest in WestJet’s 30-year history.

As a global leader in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), Lufthansa Technik will provide rapid wing repairs, engine restorations, and quick maintenance services at its repair centers. These services will enhance the operational reliability of WestJet’s Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

Lufthansa Technik will establish a new LEAP-1B engine repair and service station in Calgary. This facility, the first in Canada, will feature a state-of-the-art test cell for next-generation engines and create new jobs in the region. Operations are set to begin in 2027, with WestJet as the launch customer.

General engine overhauls will continue to be performed at Lufthansa Technik’s main facility in Hamburg, Germany, and its joint venture near Wrocław, Poland. Meanwhile, CFM LEAP-1B engine repairs for WestJet will be conducted through Lufthansa Technik’s extensive global network.

WestJet (WS) is Canada’s largest Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operator. Its fleet, which currently includes more than 200 aircraft, includes more than 50 of these jets, and it is expected to grow to more than 130 by the end of the decade.

Investments, New Jobs, Economic Growth

Establishing the future of Lufthansa Technik Canada company is possible through partnerships and funding from the Governments of Alberta and Canada, the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF), Calgary Economic Development, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and Calgary International Airport (YYC).

Calgary's test cell and engine maintenance facility are being developed under a long-term lease agreement signed between the Calgary Airport Authority and Lufthansa Technik. In collaboration with Calgary Economic Development, the Government of Alberta, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, PrairiesCan, and OCIF are supporting this C$120 million investment.

Construction of the engine maintenance facility is scheduled to begin in mid-2025 and will take approximately two years to complete. Lufthansa Technik’s Canadian subsidiary plans to create up to 160 new jobs in Calgary by 2030 as part of its “Ambition 2030” strategy, which focuses on investing in core operations and global expansion.

A key objective is to strengthen MRO capacity to meet growing demand, particularly for the CFM LEAP-1B engine, which is becoming increasingly prevalent in North America.

Comments from WestJet, Lufthansa Technik Management

Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of WestJet Group, stated, “WestJet was founded on the idea of improving air travel and making it more affordable for Canadians. This historic agreement will allow us to bring critical engine repair operations home to Canada, improve efficiency, and ensure cost control in a vital part of our operations while strengthening our competitiveness and supporting Alberta’s economy. We are proud to partner with Lufthansa Technik. This is an extraordinary moment for WestJet, our guests, employees, Western Canadian communities, and our suppliers.”

Soeren Stark, CEO of Lufthansa Technik, added, “This agreement is one of the largest ever awarded to an MRO provider for CFM LEAP engines worldwide. It reinforces Lufthansa Technik’s leadership in supporting next-generation engines. We greatly appreciate WestJet’s strong confidence in our expertise and our ability to be a reliable long-term partner. We are also grateful for our allies in Canada, whose support has been essential in establishing a new engine repair station and test cell in Calgary.”

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