The Puntacana Group announced a new project at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), a mutual infrastructure project with FL Technic, a renowned independent global provider of MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) services, to create the first aircraft maintenance center in the region.
The MRO will occupy 115,588 m² of land and 27,000 m² of building space, with capacity for 5 bays for performing various maintenance processes on narrow-body aircraft. A future expansion to a total of 12 bays is planned. The creation of this facility is expected to generate approximately 1,600 jobs.
Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics, highlights the mindset and leadership that have driven this project: “It is a pleasure to participate in this type of project with industry leaders, as we demonstrate a shared mindset and ambition. For FL Technics, this is the first infrastructure project developed from the ground up in the Americas, while for our colleagues at the Puntacana Group, it is the first with an independent global MRO service provider based in Europe. Together, we are taking steps toward this undertaking, which has the potential to become a strategic aviation hub in the Americas.”.
A press release explains that once the first phase of development is complete, the facility will include five hangars for on-site maintenance operations, including a full support workshop complex. The construction process will take approximately two years and underscores FL Technics' commitment to developing its existing independent global MRO network, with hangars already operating in Europe and Asia-Pacific.
“The strategic and operational development of the business requires meticulous planning and evaluation, especially when it comes to complex projects in new markets. I am confident that this new infrastructure will become the foundation for the future expansion of the new MRO center, as the FL Technics team will apply best practices already successfully proven on other continents,” commented Saulius Bajarunas, Chief Operations Officer (COO) of FL Technics, while emphasizing the enormous potential that the equipment brings to the Americas.
Having an MRO Center at Punta Cana International Airport is vital to ensuring the safety and efficiency of air operations in the region.
“We are pleased to announce our strategic alliance with FL Technics, a leading aircraft maintenance services company, to offer world-class MRO services at Punta Cana International Airport and the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone. With this strategic alliance, airport customers will have access to a wide range of aircraft maintenance and repair services, including scheduled inspections, component repairs, cockpit modifications, painting, and more,” stated Giovanni Rainieri, Director of Airside Operations at PUJ.
With an MRO facility at the airport, air operators will be able to reduce maintenance costs and improve the efficiency of their operations by reducing aircraft downtime.
“Grupo Puntacana is committed to providing high-quality, value-added services to our customers, and the partnership with FL Technics is an important step toward achieving that goal. We thank FL Technics for their confidence in our vision and are excited to work together to deliver exceptional MRO services at Punta Cana International Airport,” added Rainieri.
FL Technics
FL Technics is a global provider of aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. The company specializes in base and line maintenance, spare parts and components, engine management, APUs and LGs, complete aircraft engineering, and technical training. FL Technics is an EASA Part-145 certified company
CAMO, Part-147, Part-21, as well as FAA-145, with hangars in Lithuania, Indonesia and the United Kingdom, along with line stations around the world.
FL Technics is a member of the Avia Solutions Group family. It is the world's largest ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) provider, with over 180 aircraft in its fleet, and the parent company of SmartLynx, Avion Express, BBN Airlines, KlasJet, Magma Aviation, and others operating on every continent. The Group also provides a range of aviation services, including MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, and other interconnected solutions. Avia Solutions Group is supported by more than 11,500 highly qualified aviation professionals worldwide. www.fltechnics.com.
