A capacity boost for Lufthansa Technik Philippines

Lufthansa Technik Philippines has opened a fourth hangar at its site at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, which adds three maintenance lines to the existing seven and increases aircraft overhaul capacity by up to 20%. The hangar can be configured according to need, with room to accommodate four narrowbody aircraft, or one widebody aircraft and two narrowbody aircraft. Alternatively, an Airbus A380 can also be accommodated. The completion of the 9,000 square meter hangar was initially planned for September 2020, but opened in August 2022 following delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is a very special milestone for Lufthansa Technik Philippines in the 22nd year of our existence. It marks a transition from some of the most difficult times we have experienced as a company due to the pandemic to the current phase of noticeable recovery. This is concrete, tangible evidence that we see clearer skies ahead of us,” stated Elmar Lutter, president and CEO of Lufthansa Technik Philippines.

According to Lufthansa Technik Philippines, which is a joint venture of Lufthansa Technik AG (51%) and MacroAsia (49%), the largest aviation service provider in the Philippines, the increased capacity will also provide work for at least an additional 275 employees at the site. The company specialises in aircraft overhauls for the Airbus A320 family, as well as the Airbus A330, 340, A380 and Boeing 777 types. The range of services also includes cabin retrofit programmes and lease return checks.

“The opening of the new hangar is Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ response to the increasing demand for aircraft maintenance, as travel continues to increase and a majority of the worldwide fleets are now back in operation, added Rainer Janke, VP for marketing & sales at Lufthansa Technik Philippines. “We are pleased to offer our customers first-class service and with reliable overhauls provide a valuable contribution to the stabilisation of their flight operations,”

The Manila location is seen as an advantage for customers due to its proximity to international hubs such as Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong, all of which are within a four-hour flight radius.