Inauguration of the Lufthansa Technik Philippines Maintenance Hangar (Speech) - 2/10/12
Inauguration of the Lufthansa Technik Philippines Maintenance Hangar for Airbus A380 Aircraft
MacroAsia Special Economic Zone, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
10 February 2012
President Benigno S. Aquino III graced the inauguration of Lufthansa Technik Philippines' (LTP) third hangar in Manila that was built to service the Airbus A380 -- the world's largest and most technologically advanced commercial plane.
The momentous occasion that saw President Aquino acting as the pilot of the Airbus A380 in a platform designed as a simulator or cockpit area was held at the new hangar (8,500 square meters large and 35 meters in height) located in the MacroAsia Special Economic Zone, Villamor Airbase, Pasay City.
I am told that LTP has put in around thirty million dollars into this one project, and that you will be hiring four hundred high-technology and high-skilled workers for this single hangar alone. This, more than anything, speaks volumes about the confidence investors have in the capability of our workers, President Aquino stated in his message.
He also expressed his future goal of having A380s in the country not just for maintenance but to fly in tourists, investors and balikbayans. The goal is to have ten million people visiting the Philippines every year by 2016 when I step down from the office, the President said.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the inauguration comes at an interesting time in the country's aviation. Liberalizing the aviation sector has been one of the key reforms implemented by our administration. We want a more competitive industry, and from what we have seen, the liberalization programs are working. In 2011, we saw the emergence of AirAsia, a new local player; and we saw the expansion of Seair, which now offers international flights. Foreign airlines have also joined in, as companies like Air Nippon Airways, Tiger Airways, Jin Air and Air Busan have started their operations here, President Aquino emphasized.
Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) is one of the largest providers of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to customers worldwide. The company is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG of Germany (51%) and Philippine aviation service provider MacroAsia Corporation.
Seven hangar bays and workshops have been upgraded to the latest industry standards to support aircraft maintenance, major modifications, cabin reconfigurations, engine maintenance and painting for A319/A320, A330/A340, B747-400 and B777 aircrafts.
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