Lufthansa Technik eyes $150M second hangar in Clark

• Lufthansa Technik Philippines is planning to build a second hangar in Clark valued at around $150 million (P8 billion)

• Construction timeline is two years

• The proposed hangar will cover two hectares of leased land

• It can accommodate at least two Airbus A380s

Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) is planning to build a second hangar in Clark valued at around $150 million (P8 billion) to be built over two years, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in a statement.

For the project, LTP is looking at partnering with Maharlika Investment Corporation, with initial discussions already underway with Maharlika Fund president and CEO Rafael Consing, Jr., DTI added.

Elmar Lutter, president and CEO of LTP, disclosed the plan on March 12 to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and members of the Philippine economic team led by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual. Marcos was in Germany on an official trip from March 11 to 13.

The proposed hangar, covering two hectares of leased land, can accommodate at least two Airbus A380s and will complement LTP’s 23-hectare technical base and hangar for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), built in the 1980s.

This early, a Phase 2 expansion is being considered either in Clark or at new airport sites in Bulacan or Sangley Point.

LTP said the new hangar will service customers such as British Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Emirates and Qantas.

The Philippine delegation noted the expansion plan will provide high-quality and better-paying jobs to Filipinos while strengthening the aerospace MRO capabilities of the country.

During construction, the second hangar is expected to employ at least 400 workers.

“We appreciate Lufthansa’s recent consideration of Manila as a destination for one of its direct flights from Europe to Southeast Asia. It does not only open opportunities for tourism but also for other business services of Lufthansa that the Philippines can support,” Pascual said.

During the meeting, the Philippine delegation reassured LTP officials of the government’s commitment to upholding existing contracts, addressing Lufthansa’s concerns about the impact of future developments in NAIA.

Currently, LTP employs around 2,800 mechanics, engineers, and support personnel in the Philippines, operating eight hangar bays and workshops designed to the latest industry standards. These facilities support a range of services from light to heavy maintenance checks, major modifications, cabin reconfiguration/retrofit programs, and lease return checks.