Global aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services provider Lufthansa Technik Philippines said Wednesday it is investing $40 million to build a new hangar in Manila to serve the rising demand.
“The company strongly believes in the ability of the Philippines to be a hub for aviation services in the region, and proof of this is our expansion and continued commitment to the country,” LTP president and chief executive Elmar Lutter said.
“With the expansion of our facilities and services through the construction of Hangar 1A, we will be opening LTP’s doors to 275 more Filipino workers to help the Philippine MRO industry grow, together with the sustained growth of the Philippine economy,” he said.
LTP started the construction of the expanded facility in September and expects to complete it by fourth quarter of 2020. LTP’s capacity will also increase by 30 percent.
It said the project was a response to the growing MRO demand in Asia-Pacific and would further strengthen the Philippines as an ideal MRO site.
“Lufthansa Technik Philippines has always been the country’s forerunner in the MRO industry. As we approach our 20th year, it’s about time to showcase the Philippines as an aviation stronghold in Asia-Pacific,” Lutter said.
Established in 2000, LTP, a joint venture of Hamburg-based Lufthansa Techno AG and MacroAsia Corp., has a workforce of 3,300 Filipinos across the key cities nationwide, including Clark, Cebu, Davao, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa.
The new hangar, called Hangar 1A, will be a replica of the existing Hangar 1 which currently services aircraft of various airlines, including the national carrier airline, Philippine Airlines and international lines like British Airways, Korean Air, Asian Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
