National Air Services (NAS), a Saudi-based private aviation company, has signed a co-operation agreement with Lufthansa Technik, which is aimed at developing the technical capability of the Saudi firm's technical arm Nastech.

As per the agreement, Lufthansa Technik will help boost Nastech's ability to serve other potential aviation company within the region with international standard either in NAS locations in the Kingdom or through technical training for its staff at Lufthansa Technik premises in Hamburg, Germany.

Ayed Al-Jeaid the chairman of NAS,  Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan CEO of NAS, August Wilhelm Henningsen, chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik and Walter Heerdt, senior vice president (Marketing and Sales), attended the signing ceremony.

Commenting on the deal, Al-Jeaid said, "This unique agreement is aimed at developing the technical capability of Nastech to enhance its services to sister companies such as nasair, NASJets and other projects managed by NAS."

"Also, this agreement shall boost Nastech ability to serve other potential aviation company within the region with international standard under the supervision of our strategic partner Lufthansa Technik either in our locations in the Kingdom or through technical training for our staff at Lufthansa Technik premises in Hamburg," he added.

Henningsen said the company had based its selection of technical co-operation with NAS on its reputation and performance over the last 10 years as a leader in the field of private aviation in Saudi Arabia.

NAS’ management has an ambitious vision and Lufthansa Technik is confident of its successful implementation, he added.

Al-Hamdan said the agreement was the result of long negotiations between the two companies for more than two years.

"We are proud and happy with this co-operation with Lufthansa Technik that shows Lufthansa’s respect of the ability of NAS to expand and absorb such advanced technology," he added.

The agreement, Al Hamdan said, would be implemented in two phases. "The first phase of implementation would take about three years and focus on ways of enhancing joint co-operation between the two sides, transfer and resettlement aspects of knowledge and advanced technology in the field of engineering and aircraft maintenance."

The first phase includes 3 items; the 1st item covers the assumption that Lufthansa Technik maintains NAS aircraft engines. The 2nd item includes extension of "Lufthansa Technik maintenance of aircraft’s equipment and instruments" for a period of 10 years.

"Accordingly, Lufthansa Technik will be responsible for maintaining the single aisle aircraft equipment and instruments (such as Airbus A320 and Embraer 190 and 195 as well as business jet BBJ), The 3rd item relates to the presence of engineers and technical advisors from Lufthansa Technik to oversee practical implementation by Nastech for the maintenance of aircraft as per standard technical specifications in Lufthansa Technik."

“The second phase of the agreement is intended to take place within three years whereby through the technical cooperation between the two companies, 3rd party customers in Saudi Arabia are to be serviced at world class standards,” he explained.

Al-Hamdan said the strategic alliance means that NAS can support Lufthansa Technik in its future projects in Saudi Arabia, as well get support from Lufthansa Technik in NAS business and its future projects.

NAS is investing currently to establish the necessary "facilities" including, Aircraft’s hangar and integrated maintenance workshops, he noted.
 
"The importance of this investment is not limited to these gains, but there are more important element which includes building national cadres qualified to work in the field of engineering and maintenance in the aviation sector," he added.-TradeArabia News Service