FL Technics has officially started operations at its new heavy maintenance hub at Punta Cana International Airport, with the arrival of the first Airbus A320ceo marking the beginning of activity at the five-bay facility.
The new centre represents a US$70 million joint investment by FL Technics and Grupo Puntacana and covers more than 20,000 square metres. The facility is designed to provide heavy maintenance services for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft families.
The Punta Cana base is the first heavy maintenance centre of its kind in the Dominican Republic and FL Technics’ first dedicated heavy maintenance facility in the Americas.
The site has received RAD-145 certification from the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC), as well as approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These certifications allow the facility to provide certified MRO services to airlines and aircraft operators across the Americas.
Building a nearshore MRO network
FL Technics is expanding its presence in the Americas in response to growing demand for aircraft maintenance services across North, Central and South America.
The Punta Cana facility is positioned as a nearshore alternative for airlines operating narrow-body fleets in the region. Its five maintenance bays and modern equipment are designed to support heavy checks and other technical services required by major airline fleets.
Juozas Lapeika, Chief Base Maintenance Officer at FL Technics, said the company’s long-term objective is to bring safe and efficient MRO services closer to customers across the Americas while contributing to the development of local aviation ecosystems.
He described the Punta Cana project as the first stage of FL Technics’ expansion in the Caribbean and highlighted the enthusiasm of Dominican aviation talent.
At full operational capacity, the facility is expected to create up to 2,000 skilled jobs. As operations expand, the centre will increase its ability to accommodate multiple operators and carry out scheduled maintenance and repairs.
Focus on local aviation talent
FL Technics also plans to use the Punta Cana project to develop a local workforce capable of supporting the region’s growing aviation industry.
Mejico Angeles Lithgow, CEO of FL Technics in the Dominican Republic, said the arrival of the first aircraft demonstrates that advanced aviation maintenance can be delivered locally.
The company’s next major development is the planned launch of a dedicated aviation MRO academy. The initiative will focus on training technicians in the Dominican Republic and creating a long-term pipeline of skilled aviation professionals.
Expansion planned
The Punta Cana facility is intended to become the foundation for further growth in the region. Future development plans include expanding hangar capacity and increasing the range of services available at the site.
With its combination of certified heavy maintenance capabilities, modern infrastructure, workforce development and planned expansion, the Punta Cana hub is set to play a larger role in the Americas’ MRO market while supporting the Dominican Republic’s aviation ambitions and wider economic development.
