Lufthansa Technik has officially broken ground on its new 55,000-square-meter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Santa Maria da Feira, south of Porto, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-term expansion strategy in Portugal.
The new site, operated by Lufthansa Technik Portugal, a wholly owned subsidiary established in 2024, will specialize in the repair of engine parts and aircraft components. Backed by a three-digit million-euro investment, the facility is expected to begin operations in 2028 and create up to 700 highly skilled jobs over the coming years.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, along with government officials, business leaders, and representatives from partner organizations.
“We are here for the benefit of the country, promoting a development strategy alongside our partners, Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Group,” said Montenegro. “I am confident that we will reinforce our political, economic and working relationship with Germany.”
Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa Group, described the project as a demonstration of the group’s long-term commitment to Portugal.
“Today’s groundbreaking in Santa Maria da Feira is a visible and powerful symbol of what the Lufthansa Group stands for in Portugal: a reliable, long-term industrial partner,” said Spohr. “With this investment by Lufthansa Technik, we are creating 700 highly skilled jobs and positioning Portugal as a cornerstone of European aviation maintenance.”
Beyond the new MRO facility, Lufthansa Group is expanding its presence in Portugal through a broader industrial strategy that includes a new TravelTech and AI Hub in northern Portugal and the establishment of Associação Help Alliance Portugal, the first Help Alliance organization created outside Germany in Europe.
The group currently operates 353 weekly flights to Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira and the Azores through seven airline brands—Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, Eurowings and Discover Airlines. More than 500 employees already work across Lufthansa Group operations in Portugal, with plans to create over 1,000 direct jobs across its various businesses in the coming years.
Harald Gloy, COO of Lufthansa Technik, said Portugal will play a central role in the company’s future growth strategy.
“Lufthansa Technik has big plans and strong ambitions, and Portugal will be a key pillar of our continued growth and long-term success,” Gloy said. “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.”
During the ceremony, Lufthansa Technik Portugal and Portugal’s Trade and Investment Agency (AICEP) also signed their final agreement on investment incentives, further supporting the development of the new facility.
AICEP Chairwoman and CEO Madalena Oliveira e Silva described the investment as one of the most significant aerospace projects ever supported by the agency, saying it would strengthen Portugal’s position as a leading European aviation and MRO hub.
Santa Maria da Feira Mayor Amadeu Albergaria welcomed the investment, calling it a milestone for the municipality that will bring skilled employment, industrial growth and greater international recognition.
Torsten Raabe, MD of Lufthansa Technik Portugal, said the groundbreaking represents the culmination of extensive planning and teamwork.
“Standing here today to celebrate the groundbreaking of Lufthansa Technik Portugal is deeply meaningful,” Raabe said. “We will create something truly significant for Lufthansa Technik Portugal and for everyone who joins us on this journey.”
