Calgary Airports and Lufthansa Technik celebrate their new state-of-the-art engine maintenance facility worth an investment of 120 million Canadian dollars (CAD). The celebrations took place at YYC Calgary Airport.
Engine Repair Shop
The new facility will support a variety of North American airlines, specializing in near-wing and quick-turn maintenance for CFM International’s LEAP-1B engines, which power the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It will also include a test cell designed to accommodate the latest generation of aircraft engines. Spanning approximately 14,000 square meters (about 150,000 square feet), the engine repair center is expected to create at least 160 permanent jobs through Lufthansa Technik Canada—a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik—by 2030.
An additional 170 temporary jobs are anticipated during the construction phase of the repair shop and test cell, which are scheduled to be fully operational by 2027. Lufthansa Technik Canada is working closely with Calgary Airports on the design and logistics of the project. A long-term agreement has positioned the facility as a central element of YYC AeroNex, a strategic air transportation hub that aims to offer Canadian airlines competitively priced, high-quality aviation maintenance services and training programs. Chris Dinsdale, president and CEO of Calgary Airports said:
“This engine repair station and test cell will boost regional economic development and reinforce Calgary’s role as a gateway for aviation innovation and excellence. It will provide airlines access to world-class facilities to ensure reliable, efficient and lower-cost maintenance services. The construction of a new engine test cell is a rare event globally, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community and the aviation industry in Alberta.”
Job Opportunities
Following the construction of the facility, the rising demand for skilled workers is expected to increase with recruitment efforts already being carried out. Lufthansa Technik Canada has employed 30 colleagues since the project was first announced in February. The company aims to employ 50 more skilled workers by the end of 2025 and is actively searching for skilled Engine Mechanics and Technical Trainers. Some initial roles that the company aims to fill include Aircraft Engine Production Planner, Production Support Engineer and Project Manager. Max Schramm, president and CEO of Lufthansa Technik Canada said:
“Tremendous application numbers show that the fascination for aviation and specifically aircraft maintenance and repair remain strong in Western Canada. This facility represents not just a multi-million-dollar investment in infrastructure but also in the people and future of aviation in the region. Together with our local partners we aim to strengthen and grow Calgary’s aerospace ecosystem.”
Lufthansa Technik Canada also plans to establish a dedicated training center in Calgary to support technician education and host hands-on training sessions. The facility will include four training bays. In response to the growing demand for aviation professionals in Alberta, the company is working with industry partners and post-secondary institutions across Western Canada to develop a steady pipeline of skilled workers. A formal partnership with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) was established in March through a memorandum of understanding to help create specialised aviation training programs.
What are your thoughts on Lufthansa Technik Canada’s growth and its engine maintenance facility?
