WestJet-Lufthansa Technik partnership brings new repair facility to Calgary

A new aircraft engine repair and testing facility for Calgary comes as WestJet sees a drop in people wanting to fly to the U.S.

WestJet has inked a deal with Lufthansa Technik, a leading provider of aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul and modification services, to build a new repair facility at the Calgary International Airport.

The airline says the deal is “the largest service contract” in its history.

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The state-of-the-art, nine-acre engine maintenance and test cell facility is expected to contribute to Calgary’s position as a world-class aerospace hub.

Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet CEO, said the partnership will bring these critical operations home to Canada.

“(It will) 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.”

The facility will specialize in LEAP-1B engines that power the airline’s Boeing 737 fleet.

All overhauls of these engines will continue to take place at Lufthansa Technik’s main facility in Hamburg, Germany, and the company’s joint venture in Wroclaw, Poland.

Lufthansa Technik says the Calgary facility will allow for “quick turn shop visits.”

“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 experience and our ability to serve as a trusted long-term partner.”

The new repair facility is supported with a $120-million investment from the Calgary Airport Authority.

“Aviation connects our great country, and to have reliable and affordable air travel, we need to ensure that the entire aviation services ecosystem is able to thrive locally in Canada,” said Chris Dinsdale, president & CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority.

“We are grateful to all our partners for making this facility a reality. It positions Calgary as a centre of strategic services and infrastructure that will support both cargo and passenger flights in and out of the region, making us a central node in the North American aviation services network.”

The Canada Infrastructure Bank will also be providing $172 million toward the project.

“Our collaboration with the Calgary Airport Authority moves their project from the planning stage into shovels in the ground. The world-class facilities will strengthen Canada’s aviation infrastructure, bringing long-term, high-quality jobs and economic growth to the region,” said CEO Ehren Cory.

The contract is set to last for 15 years and will create 160 full-time jobs at the repair facility.

Approximately 170 jobs will be supported during construction.

With files from Jordan Kanygin