Lufthansa Technik gets green light for Portugal plant

Lufthansa Technik has received environmental approval for its new production unit in Santa Maria da Feira, northern Portugal, clearing the way for construction to begin “in the coming weeks”, the German group confirmed to ECO News. The project is a €309 million industrial investment that is expected to create about 700 jobs by 2030.

In a statement, the company said it had received the expected clearance from Portugal’s Environment Agency (APA). The new aircraft component and engine maintenance and repair unit is due to start operating in 2028. It will be built on a site of nearly 230,000 square metres in the Lusopark area of Santa Maria da Feira, with four floors, a built area of 48,753 square metres and capacity to process 30 tonnes of pieces a day.

The environmental impact study was submitted in December and remained under public consultation until early February. The five opinions received did not challenge the relevance of the investment, but raised concerns about traffic, access and higher noise levels in the area, calling for mitigation measures.

Lufthansa Technik Portugal is already operating in the Perm industrial park, a few kilometres from the future site. The company recently opened a second pavilion for practical training and initial operational work, adding 2,000 square metres of space, and also obtained EASA Part 145 approval, allowing it to carry out certified maintenance work on real aircraft components. It has also appointed Torsten Raabe as chief executive in Portugal.

Lufthansa Technik said Raabe brings nearly three decades of experience within the group, including as chief executive of Lufthansa Technik Sofia. The company serves more than 800 customers worldwide and reported revenue of €8.049 billion in 2025, up 12% from the previous year.

Originally published at Eco.pt