Lufthansa Technik Portugal is driving the growth of the newly established company: With the appointment of experienced industry leader Torsten Raabe as Managing Director, the achievement of EASA Part-145 certification, and the opening of a second training and maintenance hall, the wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik is achieving important milestones while preparing for the construction of its new site. In the coming weeks, Lufthansa Technik Portugal will break ground on its 55,000-square-meter facility in Santa Maria da Feira, south of Porto, creating approximately 700 jobs over the coming years.

As the new Managing Director, Torsten Raabe has nearly three decades of experience within the Lufthansa Technik Group. He started his career in the logistics division and has since held management positions across various segments, including serving as CEO of Lufthansa Technik Sofia.

Raabe starts his new role with good news: Lufthansa Technik Portugal has achieved a significant milestone with its official certification as an EASA Part-145 approved location. This approval marks the transition from training activities to certified maintenance work on real aircraft components. The first approved component category is coffee makers, and the first units have just arrived. Further approvals are expected in the coming months.

The current location of Lufthansa Technik Portugal in the “Perm” industrial park is situated just a few kilometers from the site where the company’s new facility will become operational. The temporary location  now comprises three buildings: a training center for theoretical lessons and two halls for practical training and first operational work. The second hall has recently been opened, expanding the available space by 2,000 square meters. The newly opened building is used for training in the inspection and repair of engine parts, as well as preparation for work on composite engine components – activities that are essential to qualify the teams for the expanded scope of work that lies ahead.

Workforce grows to 75 employees

The expansion of infrastructure goes hand in hand with a growing team. Lufthansa Technik Portugal now employs 75 people across various positions, a clear sign of the company’s dynamic development. Additional positions are currently open. Among others, the company is actively seeking mechatronic technicians, who will be responsible for troubleshooting, inspecting, and repairing aircraft components while working with complex technical systems.

“I am truly impressed by the progress my predecessor and the entire team have achieved, from obtaining our EASA Part-145 certification to expanding our infrastructure and building a highly skilled workforce. This is a tremendous motivation for everything that lies ahead of us. I am honored to take on the exciting role as Managing Director and to lead Lufthansa Technik Portugal at such a pivotal moment,” said Torsten Raabe.