Aerospan.com And MTU Sign Joint Software Development
and Marketing Agreement
Providing an e-Marketplace for the Provision of MRO Services to the
Air Transport Industry

Wood dale, IL/Munich, Germany, 4th June, 2001 - Aerospan and MTU Aero Engines GmbH, a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, today completed a joint development agreement to create an MTU-branded e-marketplace to supply maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services that meet the industry specific needs of the global air transport industry. Under the agreement, Aerospan will provide the e-marketplace, information technology (IT) and software expertise while MTU provides knowledge and expertise in the MRO industry.

The product of this joint development agreement is an online solution for component parts repair that includes: a repair capability catalog, asset tracking and repair cycle visibility, online request for quotes (RFQs) for engine and component repairs, and online short form proposals with which to respond to RFQs. The repair capability catalog, asset tracking and repair cycle visibility come courtesy of recent Aerospan partnerships with leading e-maintenance suppliers.

According to Aerospan CEO Duncan Alexander: "This kind of partnership activity, working with an expert in a related field and integrating their knowledge and products in with your own, that represents the best practices our industry has to offer." Those best practices are once more in play with Aerospan's joint development agreement with MTU. "Both parties in this agreement have significant roles to play," commented Alexander. "MTU, the largest independent MRO organization in the world, will provide the process design and product specifications, as well as the technical, logistical and staff resources necessary to build this solution. Aerospan will provide domain and e-marketplace expertise, business analysis, software development and implementation, site hosting and product management."

Project development has commenced and is ahead of schedule. Aerospan will also assist with "e-enabling" MTU through the integration of a number of services from SITA, including AeroNet, which is now used by more than 100 global airlines and aerospace companies.

"It was the responsiveness of Aerospan's management team, clear technical know-how of their developers and IT infrastructure support provided by SITA that attracted us to develop this collaborative effort," said Dr. Friedemann Ost, MTU Aero Engines' e-Business leader. "Adopting e-business is fundamental to MTU's strategy and an Aerospan/MTU/SITA joint project will help us realize our plans."

Partnering with Aerospan furthers MTU's drive for continued growth within its MRO business, which was recently expanded with the launch of two new regional repair shops, MTU Maintenance do Brasil in South America and MTU Maintenance Zhuhai in China. Additionally, MTU's maintenance companies are expanding their engine portfolio and service offerings as part of the company's time-proven strategy to spread its components over a wide gamut of engine programs. Reported gains in MTU's profits essentially stem from a rising demand for commercial engines and the lucrative spare parts business that comes with it, as well as to the expansion of MTU's commercial engine MRO segment.

"MTU offers a very broad range of technically excellent MRO services and we are pleased to be able to apply our expertise to extend those capabilities to customers all over the world," said Alexander. "It is vital that our customers are provided with real e-business solutions and our partnership with MTU offers precisely that."

Notes to Editors :

About Aerospan
Aerospan is the most comprehensive, neutral, e-marketplace for the global US$80-100bn air transport industry. It enables more than 15,000 airlines, aerospace companies and other aviation industry participants to plan, source, buy, sell and collaborate online. Its technical procurement e-marketplace already offers specific industry functionality and Aerospan will continue to lead by expanding and extending its portfolio, enabling customers to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. By streamlining transactions and operations, while reducing both inventory levels and costs, Aerospan will help improve customers' profitability. It is majority owned by SITA and leverages its global network, IT and e-business solutions capabilities. AAR holds a small stake in the business. Aerospan has headquarters in Chicago, USA. Further information can be found at http://www.Aerospan.com.

About MTU Aero Engines GmbH
MTU Aero Engines, a DaimlerChrysler subsidiary, develops, manufactures, markets and repairs civil and military aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines. Its customers are operators and manufacturers of aero engines and industrial gas turbines across the world.

MTU Aero Engines has 7100 employees and EUR 2.1 billion in sales, which makes it Germany`s leading engine manufacturer and the worlds largest provider of independent commercial engine maintenance services. MTU engages in cooperative ventures with the world's major systems integrators and engine manufacturers, such as Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Rolls-Royce, Snecma, Volvo and FiatAvio. Further information can be found at http://www.mtu.de.