Lufthansa Technik has inaugurated a new training centre in Santa Maria da Feira as part of preparations for its major expansion in Portugal, with the first 18 employees of Lufthansa Technik Portugal now onboard.

Located in the Perm industrial park, around 9km from the future site of the company’s new production facility, the centre will play a key role in training staff ahead of the plant’s expected opening in late 2027.

Spread across two buildings, the facility currently hosts introductory sessions and classroom-based lessons. Practical training will begin shortly, with support from experienced instructors from Lufthansa Technik’s Hamburg headquarters.

The centre is leased for an initial three-year period and includes modern seminar rooms and fully equipped office workstations.

This development follows Lufthansa Technik’s announcement in December of a significant investment- estimated in the triple-digit million-euro range – in a new 54,000 sqm site in the Lusopark industrial area of Santa Maria da Feira. The new facility will specialise in repairing aircraft components and engine parts, and is expected to create approximately 700 jobs.

Recruitment is already underway, with 25 staff hired so far for key roles such as a human resources manager, a production manager, and a tool and equipment engineer. A further 20 hires are anticipated before year-end. Positions currently open include technicians, quality engineer auditors, and HR specialists.

Interest in the project has been high, with the company receiving an average of 150 applications per advertised role. To support ongoing recruitment efforts, Lufthansa Technik Portugal is partnering with educational institutions across the country. Among these is Cenfim, a national vocational training centre focused on the metalworking and electromechanical industries, which is assisting with the selection and technical assessment of future mechanics.

The training centre marks a key milestone in Lufthansa Technik’s strategic expansion into Portugal and its long-term workforce development goals.

At the inauguration ceremony, Volker Magunna, chairperson of the board at Lufthansa Technik Portugal, said: “Today is a special day for Lufthansa Technik Portugal, one that will go down in the company’s history – and that even before construction of the actual production facility has begun.”

“This milestone vividly demonstrates the pace and commitment with which we are advancing this major project. I am excited about everyone who wants to shape and build Lufthansa Technik Portugal together with us.

“This also applies to our partners at AICEP and the city of Santa Maria da Feira, who have welcomed us with open arms and have provided strong support from the very beginning through an intensive process.”

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