Lufthansa builds new plant in Portugal
The new facility, located roughly 35 kilometers south of Porto will create more than 700 jobs which interested candidates can apply for as early as next year.
What?
Lufthansa Technik, a subsidiary of the German airline giant Lufthansa, has announced plans to establish a major aircraft engine and component repair facility in Santa Maria da Feira, creating over 700 jobs.
The project represents a substantial investment, estimated to exceed “three digits in millions of euros,” and is set to begin operations by 2027.
The construction of a new facility roughly 35 kilometers south of Porto will further expand Lufthansa Technik's capacities for the repair of engine parts and aircraft components in line with the company's strategy.
The company plans to open job applications in early 2025, targeting a range of skilled positions including mechanics, electronics technicians, engineers, and managers.
In preparation for the plant’s launch, a dedicated training center will also be created in Santa Maria da Feira next year to ensure a qualified workforce.
A Strategic Investment in Portugal
In a statement, Harald Gloy, Lufthansa Technik’s Chief Operations Officer, highlighted the project as a significant milestone: “This is a historic moment for Lufthansa Technik as we expand our global footprint with our first facilities in Portugal. This investment underscores our commitment to Portugal and to maintaining our position as a global leader in the MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) sector.”
The repair facility will occupy a 230,000-square-meter site in the Lusopark industrial park, with production expected to begin once construction of the 54,000-square-meter building is completed.
Teams from Lufthansa Technik worked for several months to find the ideal location for this multi-million euro investment. “We are convinced that Santa Maria da Feira is the perfect choice. Great things will be created here – for the region, for Lufthansa Technik, and for our employees and customers. This investment is also a sign of the Lufthansa Group’s commitment to Portugal,” said Harald Gloy.
Cooperation with the Portuguese government, represented by the trade and investment agency AICEP (Portugal’s Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade), and with the city of Santa Maria da Feira was extremely collaborative – both organizations provided Lufthansa Technik with strong support in an intensive process.
Government and Industry Support
Portugal’s Minister for the Economy, Pedro Reis, praised the investment as a boost to the country’s reindustrialization efforts and a testament to its infrastructure and skilled workforce: “This commitment by Lufthansa Technik reflects confidence in Portugal’s aviation engineering capabilities and represents a significant step towards attracting further foreign investment.”
Ricardo Arroja, President of AICEP, emphasized the project’s potential to enhance Portugal’s competitiveness in the European aerospace sector.
Broader Implications
While Lufthansa is a leading contender in the ongoing privatization of TAP Air Portugal, Government officials have distanced the new investment from the privatization discussions.
Minister Reis reiterated the separation of the two matters: “This investment by Lufthansa Technik is a vote of confidence in Portugal, unrelated to TAP’s privatization process.”
However, the project is seen as a strategic move that could attract more global aviation clients to Portugal, further strengthening its position in the aerospace industry.