Netherlands-based Direct Maintenance was approved to perform line maintenance on the A340-500, powered by RR Trent 500 engines. The company now has line maintenance approvals for 40 aircraft-engine combinations.
A340-500 aircraft are specifically designed to operate ultra long-range routes, up to 16.600 kilometers. The longest commercial route flown today is operated with an A340-500, connecting New York and Singapore. Operators of the A340-500 include Kingfisher, Etihad, TAM, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.