This article is published in Aviation Week MRO part of Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), and is complimentary through May 24, 2026. For information on becoming an AWIN Member to access more content like this, click here.
ORLANDO—Lufthansa Technik has announced several milestones for its upcoming Portugal-based aircraft and engine component business.
The German MRO giant recently confirmed Torsten Raabe as MD of Lufthansa Technik Portugal, which is expected to begin operations in late 2027 as part of a multi-million-euro investment by the company.
Raabe brings nearly three decades of experience within the Lufthansa Technik Group, having held various management positions across various segments, including serving as CEO of Lufthansa Technik Sofia from 2018 to 2021 and, most recently, as senior director, MRO services, material & subcontract, at Lufthansa Technik Component Services.
Lufthansa Technik Portugal, located at a 2.4-million-ft.2 site at the Lusopark business park in Santa Maria da Feira, approximately 20 mi. south of Porto, has officially gained certification as an EASA Part-145 approved location.
The company said that this approval marks the transition from training activities to certified maintenance work on actual aircraft components. The first approved component category is coffee makers, with the first units recently arriving in Portugal, where the company is operating out of three temporary buildings. Lufthansa Technik anticipates further approvals in the coming months.
Training operations are already underway at the site, with one building dedicated to theoretical lessons while the other two halls focused on practical training and the first wave of operational work.
Lufthansa Technik recently opened the second hall, which is being used for training in the inspection and repair of engine parts and for preparing for work on composite engine components.
The recruitment process has also picked up momentum with 75 people currently in the Portuguese business with further technician recruitment on the horizon this year. Once fully ramped up, the new business is expected to employ more than 700 people.
First announced in late 2024, Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr highlighted easier access to Portugal’s labor market as a pulling factor in contrast to its Hamburg home base, where he conceded it has become increasingly difficult to attract talent. Lufthansa Technik also identified the need to increase capacity across its MRO network, with its shop capacity limitations having an impact on its Lufthansa Group parent company.
Related Content
