Lufthansa Technik has started construction of a new aircraft maintenance facility in Portugal, a three-digit million-euro investment that underscores the Lufthansa Group's growing presence in the country as it also pursues a stake in TAP Air Portugal.
The new site is being built in Santa Maria da Feira, south of Porto, and is expected to enter service in 2028. Covering 55,000 square meters, the facility will specialize in the repair of aircraft components and engine parts, creating up to 700 jobs over the coming years.
The investment comes as Portugal prepares to privatize part of TAP Air Portugal. Lufthansa Group has publicly expressed interest in acquiring a stake in the flag carrier, competing with Air France-KLM and other potential investors. Although the maintenance project is separate from the airline's privatization, it reinforces Lufthansa's long-term commitment to Portugal.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr described Portugal as one of the company's most strategically important countries outside its home markets and reiterated the group's interest in TAP.
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Lufthansa said the new maintenance center will strengthen its global MRO network while expanding its industrial footprint in Portugal, where seven Lufthansa Group airlines already operate 353 weekly flights serving Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira and the Azores.
In addition to the maintenance activities, the group has also established a TravelTech and artificial intelligence hub in northern Portugal and recently created a Portuguese branch of its help alliance charitable organization.
Lufthansa Technik Portugal was established in 2024 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, one of the world's largest providers of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
