Lufthansa Technik has set up Aviation DataHub, an independent platform for all data generated by aviation. With this decision, Lufthansa Technik has taken an important step in the digitalization of the maintenance, repair and overhaul business (MRO) and the integration of flight and ground-handling operations. Aviation DataHub was established as an independent company.

With this platform, airlines, manufacturers and the MRO industry as well as data providers and other market players will be able to collect, compile and process important technical or flight-operations data – from technical operations (“tech-ops”) and ground operations (“ground-ops”) to flight operations (“flight-ops”).

Airlines in particular will now be able to decide whether and with whom they want to share their data regarding the technical support of aircraft or the improvement of ground-handling and flight operations.

The Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik, Dr. Johannes Bussmann, said: “The establishment of the hub is a very important step, especially in guaranteeing airlines’ control of the data of their fleets and the use of this information. Our aim is to ensure the independence of airlines and to maintain competition. After all, competition will make the aviation industry more dependable, efficient and environmentally conscious. Control, choice and competition for all market players – this is the guiding principle of Aviation DataHub.”

Lufthansa Technik currently holds a 100 percent stake in Aviation DataHub. Over the next few months, it plans to add other shareholders and partners from the aviation industry, including the manufacturers of components and systems, and ultimately reduce its stake significantly.

Aviatar, a digital product offered by Lufthansa Technik, will also work with the data from the Aviation DataHub. Aviatar is an independent and integrated platform for digital services such as predictive maintenance with integrated technical implementation. Flight operations will be included in the next step as a way of providing airlines with an integrated and uniform solution for holistic fleet management. Today, the operators of a significant four-digit number of aircraft use AVIATAR, benefiting from optimized operating times, reduced consequential costs and more reliable fleet operations.

Dr. Christian Langer, Head of Digital Fleet Solutions at Lufthansa Technik, said: “We welcome competition. It drives innovation and the search for the best solutions. For this reason, Aviation DataHub is open to anyone who wants to improve our industry – and that naturally includes our competitors. We are already in a fairly advanced stage of discussions with some potential shareholders and partners. The interest in such a neutral data platform is huge.”

Aviation DataHub is designed for airlines, manufacturers of aircraft, components and systems, other MRO companies, data providers and providers of digital products and solutions such as Lufthansa Technik’s Aviatar.

Now that it has been founded, Aviation DataHub will begin and expand its operative activities with Aviatar as its first customer. Promising discussions are underway with potential partners and other shareholders, including the technical and operative integration of existing technologies and infrastructures under the umbrella of Aviation DataHub.

Jan Stoevesand and Michael Britzke were named as managing directors of Aviation DataHub GmbH.