After a delay of nearly two years owing to the COVID-19 influenced slump in global air travel, Lufthansa Technik Philippines has inaugurated its new $40 million base maintenance hangar in Pasay Bay.
The 97,000 ft.2 facility, known as Hangar 1A, is based at the MacroAsia Special Economic Zone at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City—close to the capital city of Manila.
LHT Philippine’s new location will replicate another hangar already operating at the site and will service Airbus A320, A330, A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
Once in full operation, the MRO provider estimates an increased capacity of up to 20% and hopes to add up to 275 new staff at the location.
Lufthansa Technik spent $20 million for the hangar’s construction and the remaining $20 million to kit out the facility with tooling and machinery.
The expanded location was unveiled at a ceremony held on Friday (Aug. 19) and attended by company executives and staff, as well as government officials.
In attendance was LHT Phillipine’s CEO and president Elmar Lutter, who was quoted by Manila-based publication Business World as saying that the MRO would look to expand at other locations in the Philippines owing to constrained capacity in Manila at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
According to article, Lutter said the company is reviewing expansion possibilities across the country and it is exploring the prospect of new partners to do so.
Currently, LHT Philippines has domestic facilities in Manila, Clark, Cebu, Davao, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa.
LHT Philippines first announced plans to expand in 2019 and held a ground-breaking ceremony in November of that year. The facility was originally scheduled to be completed in September 2020.
The MRO’s existing customer base includes the likes of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, British Airways, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
LHT Philippines was established in 2000 as a 51%-49% joint venture between the German MRO giant and local service provider MacroAsia.
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