LUFTHANSA TECHNIK, Hamburg-based and generally seen as an independent operation from sister company Lufthansa, increased profits by over 50% last year to E147.7m on a slightly reduced turnover. Nearly 58% of its MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) sales were to customers outside the Lufthansa Group. Lufthansa Technik takes in some37 companies and affiliates around the world including Shannon Aerospace owned now 100%, and claims to be globally the largest company of its type. However the worldwide decline in passenger demand plus the large and growing numbers of parked, deactivated and less frequently used commercial aircraft has reduced the overall demand for MRO services by from 15 to 20%. http://www.lufthansa-technik.com