Lufthansa Technik breaks ground on aviation maintenance facility in Portugal
This is a special feature from the October 2026 MRO Europe issue of PAX Tech, on page 16.
Lufthansa Technik marked a key milestone earlier this year by officially breaking ground on its 55,000-square-meter facility in Santa Maria da Feira
Lufthansa Technik marked a key milestone earlier this year by officially breaking ground on its 55,000-square-meter facility in Santa Maria da Feira, south of Porto. Lufthansa Technik Portugal, founded in 2024, is set to create up to 700 new jobs in the aviation industry over the coming years.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro highlighted the project’s value for the country at the groundbreaking ceremony in June, alongside representatives from politics, business and partner organizations.
“We are here for the benefit of the country, promoting a development strategy alongside our partners, Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Group. We are the primary stakeholders in ensuring the longevity of this partnership. I am confident that we will reinforce our political, economic, and working relationship with Germany,” Montenegro said.
The Lufthansa Technik Portugal facility, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, is dedicated to the repair of engine parts and aircraft components. With its three-digit million-euro investment in Portugal, the company will further expand its capabilities and strengthen its global network. Start of operations is expected in 2028.
“The 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. For more than 70 years, we have been present in this country,” said Carsten Spohr, CEO, Lufthansa Group.
“With this investment by Lufthansa Technik, we are positioning Portugal as a cornerstone of European aviation maintenance.”
Spohr adds that Portugal has become one of the most strategically important locations for Lufthansa Group beyond its home markets.
“This facility reflects the confidence we place in Portuguese talent, capabilities and ambition. This depth of commitment across industry and innovation also underpins our strong interest in TAP Air Portugal as a natural extension of the partnership with Portugal we have been building for decades – with the country serving as Europe’s gateway to South America, Africa and the Portuguese-speaking world,” Spohr said.
The facility’s groundnreaking marks a significant mielstone for the Lufthansa Group in Portugal and refelcts a broader vision for its presence in the country. The investment extends beyond a single facility, encompassing maintenance excellence, a TravelTech and AI Hub in Northern Portugal, and Associação help alliance Portugal—a new Portuguese identity of help alliance, the Luftnasa Group’s aid organization.It is the first time a help alliance organization has been founded outside of Germany in Europe, underscoring the social commitment of the Lufthansa Group in the home market.
The Lufthansa Technik Portugal facility is dedicated to the repair of engine parts and aircraft components
The Group’s engagement in Portugal reflects a multi-dimensional approach. Seven Lufthansa Group airline brands (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, Eurowings and Discover Airlines) currently operate 353 weekly flights to Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira and the Azores. With more than 500 employees already working across the Lufthansa Group’s entities in Portugal, and a combined ambition to create more than 1,000 direct jobs across various businesses in the years ahead, the Lufthansa Group is establishing one of its most significant employment platforms.
“Lufthansa Technik has big plans and strong ambitions, and Portugal will be a key pillar of our continued growth and long-term success. With this new facility in Santa Maria da Feira, we will put a key part of our strategy into action and build a site that will play an important role in the aviation industry,” said Harald Gloy, incoming CEO of Lufthansa Technik.
Establishing Lufthansa Technik Portugal at the Santa Maria da Feira facility was made possible through the close and trusted partnership Lufthansa Technik has built with Portuguese policymakers.
“I would like to sincerely thank the Government, the trade and investment agency AICEP and the City of Santa Maria da Feira for their strong support and shared commitment. 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,” Gloy said.
