Brisk demand has prompted the country’s leading provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) to hike the capacity of its Manila facility by 20 percent at a cost of $40 million (roughly P2 billion), sealing the Philippines’ capability in the MRO work in aviation and aerospace.
Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) started construction of the new hangar last September.
This will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The investments will mploy about 300 additional manpower.
“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,” said.
Elmar Lutter, LTP president and chief executive officer, at the Hangar A1 groundbreaking ceremony at the MacroAsia Special Economic Zone, Villamor Airbase, Pasay City.
With a total area of 9,000 square meters, the addition of Hangar 1A in LTP’s facility will enable the MRO company to service more aircraft including the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger airliner.
LTP remains optimistic as the new facility will contribute an additional 10 percent to company revenues.
The construction of the new hangar will address the growing MRO demand in Asia Pacific and further strengthen the Philippines as an ideal aviation services hub in the region, the company said.
“We continue to be optimistic to the Philippine potential to be a strategic hub in Asia Pacific for Global MRO,” said Lutter.
“Lufthansa Technik Philippines has always been the country’s forerunner in the MRO industry. As we approach our 20th year, it’s about time we showcase the Philippines as an aviation stronghold in Asia Pacific. 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,” Lutter added.
The new Hangar 1A will be an exact replica of the existing Hangar 1, which currently services aircraft of various airlines, including the flag carrier Philippine Airlines and international lines like British Airways, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
The construction of Hangar 1A will mark the 10th bay in the MRO giant’s Manila site, which provides base and line maintenance to various commercial aircraft including Airbus A320, A330, A350 and A380 as well as Boeing B777.
Established in 2000, LTP is a joint venture of Hamburg-based Lufthansa Technik AG and the Philippines’ biggest aviation support service provider MacroAsia Corp.
With a strong presence in the country, LTP is currently employing 3,300 Filipinos across key cities nationwide including Clark, Cebu, Davao, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa.
