Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (November 1, 2015) – Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro García Padilla, Dr. Johannes Bussmann, Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik, and Simone Menne, member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, were joined today by German Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Peter Wittig and over 500 guests to commemorate the completion of the Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico (LTPR) maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility. Officials underscored the government’s strong working relationship with Lufthansa and its commitment to grow the aerospace and aviation industry in Puerto Rico.
This partnership highlights the García Padilla Administration’s efforts to attract new businesses and create highly skilled jobs. Currently, LTPR employs more than 200 people at its Aguadilla facility. By early 2017, LTPR will offer high skilled jobs for 400 local employees. With an estimated economic impact of $2.2 billion over the next 30 years, the facility is helping grow and diversify the Island’s economy, and create a regional hub for the aerospace industry.
“The foundation and implementation of LTPR is a prime example for a successful business development project,” said Dr. Johannes Bussmann, Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik. “In the few weeks since starting operations, LTPR has already proved its high value for the further development of Lufthansa Technik’s business in the Americas. This is a prime example for what a highly motivated team can achieve. In particular, I want to thank Elmar Lutter and his colleagues for the fantastic work that they have delivered.”
“Growing and diversifying our Island’s economy are a priority to restore economic stability, and successful investments like Lufthansa Technik’s are a testament to Puerto Rico’s competitive advantages,” said Governor García Padilla.
“The support which Lufthansa Technik’s MRO facility received from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its people sends a strong signal to other companies: Puerto Rico is an ideal site for economic activity,” said German Ambassador Wittig. “The MRO facility represents an important step towards expanding Lufthansa Technik’s engagement in the Americas. This long-term engagement is also the foundation for a partnership between Lufthansa Technik, the University of Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth's Department of Education to create - right here - a highly skilled workforce.”
“Congratulations to the teams from Puerto Rico and Lufthansa Technik who worked so hard to make this facility a reality,” said Vinai Thummalapally, Executive Director of SelectUSA. “It is an honor to meet so many of the new employees in person and celebrate what they have achieved so far. This investment is creating new jobs with valuable training and opportunities for growth, and that means a lot to the families here.” SelectUSA – a U.S. Department of Commerce effort to encourage, facilitate, and accelerate business investment in the United States – partnered with Puerto Rico in the process to establish Lufthansa Technik’s operations in the Island.
Lufthansa Technik joins other leading German companies that have recognized the advantages of investing in Puerto Rico. Pharmaceutical equipment provider Sartorius Stedim, medical device manufacturer Fresenius Kabi and medical component manufacturer Heraeus have recognized the Island’s business benefits which include a highly-skilled and bilingual workforce, its strategic location to the U.S. and Latin America, and competitive tax incentives, among others.
The LTPR facility has become a cornerstone of the growing Puerto Rico aerospace industry that already includes a dozen of companies and employs approximately 3,500 people. Puerto Rico has driven extraordinary efforts to build a strong business ecosystem revolving around this industry, with specific efforts to link local small and medium-sized businesses with companies such as LTPR.
Additionally, the new Aerospace and Aviation Institute of Puerto Rico - built next to the LTPR facility in Aguadilla - has started offering training courses for future aviation mechanics, strengthening the Island’s local labor force and enhancing education.
Since July 21, LTPR has been working on Airbus narrow-body aircraft from Spirit Airlines, with 10 aircraft overhauled. With the second line in operation, LTPR plans to overhaul another 10 aircraft from Spirit and JetBlue by end of 2015.
“We are pleased to be Lufthansa Technik’s first customer in Puerto Rico,” saidSpirit CEO Ben Baldanza. “We’ve had a long history with them as they have provided excellent support on our Airbus fleet through inventory, parts repairs, reliability engineering support and now, heavy maintenance support. We’re excited about this new chapter expanding in Puerto Rico.”
“As the largest airline in Puerto Rico, we are honored to share this milestone with Lufthansa Technik. With nearly one third of our network now located in Latin America and the Caribbean, it makes good business sense for us to work with a heavy maintenance business partner in the region,” said Jeffrey Martin, executive vice president, operations, JetBlue. “By supporting Lufthansa Technik's expansion in Aguadilla, we are not only making an investment in our heavy maintenance plans, we’re helping to ensure jobs which will lead to economic growth in the area.”
The deal to strengthen Lufthansa’s presence in the Americas was first announced in April 2014. The two-year project was completed on time and resulted in a new 215,000 square foot hanger that will service short and medium haul aircraft. The official grand opening ceremony of the LTPR project took place today, Sunday, Nov. 1 at 11am. A concert with the Lufthansa Orchestra, which travelled all the way from Germany, and a Rums of Puerto Rico reception took place on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 6pm. The orchestra celebrated in Puerto Rico its first performance out of Europe. Over sixty musicians played on a stage built inside the LTPR hangar.
About Lufthansa Technik:
The Lufthansa Technik Group, with more than 30 subsidiaries and about 26,000 employees worldwide, is one of the leading providers of services for the aviation industry. Lufthansa Technik is licensed internationally as a repair, production and development enterprise. The Group’s portfolio encompasses the entire spectrum of services in the areas of maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification and conversion, engines and components.
