Germany-based Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines are planning to establish a joint venture (JV) to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for PW1000G family of geared turbofan (GTF) engines.

Manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, PW1000G has been selected as the exclusive engine for the Bombardier C Series, Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), Embraer's second generation E-Jets, and other aircraft families.

In order to establish the JV, both companies have already entered a memorandum of understanding.

"In order to establish the JV, both companies have already entered a memorandum of understanding."

The companies will take the first decision on the location of the new MRO JV by the end of the year.

Expected to visit a sizable number of GTF shops during its first few years of inception, the JV aims to create opportunities for synergy and scale for both Lufthansa and MTU Aero.    

In July, Lufthansa Technik was selected to look after the after-sales service network of Pratt & Whitney GTF engines in the US.

The network currently provides a complete range of MRO services for PW1000G engines.

Lufthansa Technik said that Lufthansa was the first airline to use GTF engines to power commercial jets.

A partner of Pratt & Whitney in the PW1000G programme, MTU Aero Engines intends to make profits from the engine programme over the upcoming period.

Various airlines have so far ordered nearly 8,200 GTF engines to modernise their fleets. Five different aircraft manufacturers are currently using the engines to power their new aircraft programmes.

In 2003, both Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines established a 50/50 JV in Malaysia.

Known as Airfoil Services (ASSB), the JV specialises in the repair of low-pressure turbine and high-pressure compressor airfoils.