Lufthansa Aerial Services (LAS) and small drone manufacturer DJI entered into a market development agreement to use DJI’s models for commercial uses. Inspecting aircraft surfaces for damage and airport runways and taxiways for foreign objects are among the possible applications.
The Lufthansa Group subsidiary announced the agreement with Shenzen, China-based DJI on January 26. The unit is eyeing drones for inspections, measurement, and monitoring of various types of infrastructure, including wind power and photovoltaic systems, electricity lines, above-ground pipelines and railroad tracks. It recently completed a pilot project with a wind-turbine manufacturer using DJI drones to inspect turbine blades.
In December, LAS conducted test flights of a drone at Frankfurt Airport in cooperation with German air navigation service provider DFS and airport operator Fraport AG. The exercise tested the extent to which the transponder-equipped drone was visible to air and surface movement surveillance systems. Using drones to check runways and taxiways for unauthorized foreign objects, a job that automobiles now perform, “is of great interest” to Fraport, the companies said.
LAS is also exploring using unmanned aerial vehicles for “joint inspections” of Lufthansa airliner surfaces with maintenance company Lufthansa Technik. Among other airlines, UK low-fare carrier easyJet revealed its interest in using drones for aircraft inspections in 2014.
“Lufthansa will offer clients a one-stop UAV- shop,” said Andreas Jahnke, Lufthansa Consulting managing director. “This includes everything from application consulting and drone operation with data analysis, to training and certification of drone pilots at Lufthansa Flight Training, or even the provision of drone insurance solutions through Delvag, Lufthansa’s in-house insurer.”
DJI welcomed the partnership with the airline group. “Lufthansa Aerial Services is a highly- regarded company and a perfect partner for DJI in joint market development,” said Martin Brandenburg, DJI’s European marketing director. “The feedback from Lufthansa clients is of great value for the further development of our products.”