Israeli carrier Israir has agreed a co-operation with German maintenance firm Lufthansa Technik covering the airline's Airbus A320s.

Israir has two A320s and a third on order.

Under the technical operations pact Lufthansa Technik has been granted line maintenance approval from the Israeli civil aviation authority, and claims to be the first foreign maintenance provider to secure such clearance.

Work will be conducted at a facility at Tel Aviv, says Lufthansa Technik. Its employees will assist Israir is establishing its own maintenance operation while the contract also includes engineering and component repair services.

Israir chief executive Uri Sirkis describes the agreement as a "badge of honor" for the airline, which will give it the chance to develop an independent line maintenance capability and provide services to low-cost carriers operating to Israel.

Source: Cirium Dashboard