Germany-based Lufthansa will become aviation facility provider of East Star airline, the first private airline in central China, after the two sides signed an agreement here on weekend.

This is the first cooperation program between the German aviation giant and a private Chinese airline company. According to the agreement, Lufthansa will provide air device, technological support for maintenance and flight safety guarantee.

Founded in June last year, the Hubei-based East Star airline is the first private aviation firm in central China and the fourth of its kind in China. It has signed agreements with some of the global top 500 such as the Airbus and GE engine to buy or rent 20 airplanes.

Lufthansa plans to bring to Wuhan air facilities worthy US$2.4 million for East Star airline this year, and provide it another batch of facilities worthy US$5 million after the 20 airplanes are in place, according to Lufthansa.

The first airplane A319 will arrive in Wuhan from Hamburg on Sunday.  

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2006)