WestJet has today announced the signing of a multi-billion dollar 15-year agreement with Lufthansa Technik for aircraft engine maintenance services. Under the agreement, Lufthansa Technik will establish a new dedicated repair station in Calgary.
On Thursday (February 13, 2025), WestJet announced the signing of a multi-billion agreement with Lufthansa Technik for the maintenance of CFM International LEAP-1B engines that power the carrier’s Boeing 737 fleet. This is the largest maintenance contract in WestJet’s 30-year history and follows a rigorous competitive global sourcing process. A world leader in aircraft MRO, Lufthansa Technik will establish a new engine repair station in Calgary, dedicated to servicing LEAP-1B engines for near wing and quick-turn work, with operations set to commence in 2027.
In Thursday’s announcement, WestJet Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexis von Hoensbroech, said,
“WestJet was founded on the idea of improving air travel and making it affordable for Canadians. This historic contract award will allow us to bring critical engine repair operations home to Canada and provide greater efficiency and cost certainty to a critical part of our operations, all while demonstrating our commitment to improving our competitiveness and supporting the Alberta economy. We are proud to partner with Lufthansa Technik. This is an extraordinary moment for WestJet, our guests, WestJetters, Western Canada's communities and our suppliers.”
Also commenting on the landmark contract, Lufthansa Technik’s CEO, Soeren Stark, said,
“This agreement represents one of the largest awards ever granted to any MRO provider for CFM LEAP engines worldwide. It’s a contract that underlines Lufthansa Technik's leading position in the support of new generation engine types. We greatly value WestJet's strong confidence in our extensive expertise and our ability to serve as a trusted long-term partner. At the same time, we are grateful for the strong support from our local allies in Canada, which is essential in advancing the creation of a new engine repair shop and test cell facility in Calgary.”
Under the contract, Lufthansa Technik will provide WestJet with a broad range of services, including quick-turn shop visits, on-wing repairs, and full performance restorations. The agreement includes WestJet’s current fleet of over 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets, out a total of 200 aircraft in their fleet. WestJet is Canada’s largest 737 MAX operator, and expects to have more than 130 MAX Family jets by the end of the decade. The CFM LEAP-1B engine repair operations for WestJet will be offered by Lufthansa Technik through their extensive global network. Engine overhauls will continue to take place at the MRO’s main facility in Hamburg, Germany, and the company’s joint venture near Wroclaw in Poland.
The wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik plans to create up to 160 new jobs in Calgary by 2030. Construction of the engine maintenance facility is scheduled to begin in mid-2025, with completion expected by 2027. When completed, the facility will provide a range of engine maintenance functions and work that has historically been performed outside of Canada. A dedicated training center will open this year to equip employees with the necessary skills in preparation for the start of MRO operations.
With 30 years of service, WestJet has cut airfares for Canadians in half and increased the flying population around Canada by over 50 percent. The airline launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, and has now grown to more than 180 aircraft and 14,000 employees, offering service to over 100 destinations in 26 countries.
Source: WestJet/CNW