Lufthansa Technik has officially broken ground on its new 55,000 sqm maintenance facility in Santa Maria da Feira, south of Porto, as the company continues to expand its global MRO network.

The new site, operated by Lufthansa Technik Portugal, will specialise in the repair of engine parts and aircraft components.

Established in 2024, the subsidiary is expected to create up to 700 highly skilled jobs, with operations scheduled to begin in 2028.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro alongside representatives from government, business and industry.

During the event, Lufthansa Technik Portugal and Portugal’s trade and investment agency AICEP also signed their final investment incentive agreement.

As part of the Lufthansa Group’s three-digit million-euro investment in Portugal, the facility will expand Lufthansa Technik’s component repair capabilities while strengthening its European MRO footprint.

Carsten Spohr, chief executive of the Lufthansa Group, said: “Portugal has become one of the most strategically important locations for our group beyond our home markets, and this facility reflects the confidence we place in Portuguese talent, capabilities, and ambition.

“This depth of commitment across industry and innovation also underpins our strong interest in TAP Air Portugal as a natural extension of the partnership with Portugal we have been building for decades – with the country serving as Europe’s gateway to South America, Africa and the Portuguese-speaking world.”

The investment forms part of a wider expansion of the Lufthansa Group’s activities in Portugal, which also includes a new TravelTech and AI Hub and the launch of a Portuguese branch of the group’s charitable organisation, help alliance.

Across its various businesses in the country, the Lufthansa Group aims to create more than 1,000 direct jobs in the coming years.

Harald Gloy, chief operations officer of Lufthansa Technik, said: “Lufthansa Technik has big plans and strong ambitions, and Portugal will be a key pillar of our continued growth and long-term success. With this new facility in Santa Maria da Feira, we will put a key part of our strategy into action and build a site that will play an important role in the aviation industry.

“Establishing Lufthansa Technik Portugal here was only possible due to the close and trusted partnership we have built with Portuguese policymakers. Therefore, I would like to sincerely thank the Government, the trade and investment agency AICEP and the City of Santa Maria da Feira for their strong support and shared commitment.

“Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of an exciting chapter and clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when the right partners work closely together with a common purpose.”

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