EASA Privilege promises efficiency gains and cost savings

European Union Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, authorizes Lufthansa Technik to approve “major changes” to aircraft, their engines and components within a clearly defined scope on their own. The recognition of the “Certain STC Privilege” underlines EASA’s confidence in the reliably high level of quality that Lufthansa Technik’s engineers achieve every day to keep more than 5,100 aircraft flying around the globe.

With receipt of the “Certain STC Privilege”, the Design Organisation has reached a major milestone. The privilege applies to recurring engineering solutions for which the Design Organisation has already frequently obtained STCs and demonstrated to manage similarity of design and repetitiveness of certification within an agreed and continuously monitored framework.

The scope of this privilege applies to cabin conversions for the A320ceo family. It allows Lufthansa Technik to approve recurring cabin layout changes—such as seat reconfigurations, relocation of galleys or lavatories, and repositioning of class dividers—without individual EASA approval. This substantially shortens approval timelines, reduces the number of stakeholders, minimizes idle time, and lowers project risk.

Alain Leroy, Acting Certification Director at EASA commented: "After a long period of trustful cooperation with Lufthansa Technik, we are confident in granting the ‘Certain STC Privilege’. Now we have another Design Organisation on board to gain experience in approving major changes.”

Harald Gloy, COO of Lufthansa Technik stated: “The ‘Certain STC Privilege’ is a major milestone for our Design Organisation and Lufthansa Technik. It allows us to significantly speed up the approval process, save precious time and avoid unnecessary costs. Our design engineers already have a range of recurring major changes in mind for which we can achieve a Certain STC to further streamline our processes and services.” 

Dr. Uwe Schueler, VP Design Organisation at Lufthansa Technik said: “The privilege allows us to clearly differentiate between routine projects we can handle independently and those requiring close EASA involvement. We expect certification cost savings of up to 20 percent.”

Design Organisation looks back on more than 50 pioneering years

The Design Organisation forms the backbone of Lufthansa Technik. Every modification to an aircraft or engine requires meticulous design and certification under stringent aviation regulations. Certified by the German Federal Aviation Authority in 1973 and operating under EASA oversight since 2004, Lufthansa Technik's Design Organisation has upheld this responsibility for over five decades. This Part-21J capability has been the catalyst for countless innovations, turning customer visions into certified solutions that propel the aviation sector forward.

Today, the Design Organisation comprises nearly 700 design, compliance verification, and certification engineers across twelve Lufthansa Technik Group locations worldwide.

What is an STC?

While aircraft and engine manufacturers receive a type certificate for their products from EASA, all other Design Organisations such as Lufthansa Technik must obtain an Supplemental Type Certificate for each major design change to an aircraft or engine. The “Certain STC Privilege” authorizes Lufthansa Technik to independently certify such changes, provided they fall within the approved scope of Certain STCs.