Grupo Puntacana partners with FL Technics to expand business portfolio – first-ever project in the MRO industry
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Renowned for its’ sustainable and cross-industry business developments, Grupo Puntacana takes a step further and starts a new project in its major aviation center at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) - the company starts mutual infrastructure project with FL Technics, a global independent MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) service provider to create a new aircraft maintenance hub in the region.
Strategically located in the center of Logistics Park of the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone, the Maintenance, Repair and Overhauling (MRO) area will have 115,588 m2 of land and 27,000 m2 of construction, with space to house 5 positions to perform different maintenance processes on narrow-body aircraft and planned expansion of the facility to a total of 12 bays afterwards. With the creation of this area, will be created around 1,600 jobs related to MRO operations.
Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics, highlights the mindset and leadership that thrust this project forward: “Glad to take part in such projects with industry leaders as we demonstrate mutual mindset and ambition. For FL Technics it is the first infrastructure project to be developed from ground up in the Americas, while for colleagues from Grupo Puntacana, - it is the first one with European-based global independent MRO service provider. Together we take steps towards this endeavor that potentially become a strategic aviation hub in the Americas.”
FL Technics starts establishment of new MRO infrastructure in Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), the second-busiest airport in the Caribbean. Once the first stage of the development is finished, facilities will include 5 bays for base maintenance operations including a complex of full-fledged supporting shops. The construction process will take up to two years and marks FL Technics' commitment to develop the existing global independent MRO network, with hangars already operating in Europe and Asia-Pacific.
“Strategic and operational business development requires meticulous planning and evaluation, especially when it comes to complex projects in new markets. I trust this new infrastructure will become the foundation for future expansion of the new MRO hub, as FL Technics team will apply best-practices already proven successful in other continents.” - further comments Saulius Bajarunas, COO of FL Technics, as he emphasizes enormous potential the teams bring to the Americas.
The importance of having a Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) Center at Punta Cana International Airport is critical to ensure 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 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, cabin modifications, painting, among others,” said Giovanni Rainieri, Airside Operations Director at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).
With the presence of an MRO at the airport, aircraft operators will be able to reduce maintenance costs and improve the efficiency of their operations by reducing aircraft downtime.
“Grupo Puntacana is committed to offering 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 trust in our vision and are excited to work together to deliver exceptional MRO services at Punta Cana International Airport,” Rainieri added.
About the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone
With an investment of approximately USD$200 million, the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone will be a center of logistics operations and offices for the development of the Punta Cana Hub, a place of innovation and development for Fintech companies. With an extension of 546,617.45 m2 of land, the project will contribute to the economic growth of the area, creating more than 10,000 jobs, thus positioning Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic as leaders in international trade and foreign investment.
About FL TechnicsFL Technics is a global provider of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. The Company specialises in base and line maintenance, spare parts and component support, engine, APU & LG management, full aircraft engineering, and technical training. FL Technics is an EASA Part-145, Part-CAMO, Part-147, Part-21 as well as FAA-145 certified company with hangars in Lithuania, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom, along with line stations around the world.
FL Technics is a family member of Avia Solutions Group. It is the world's largest ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) provider with more than 180 aircraft fleet, and a parent company of SmartLynx, Avion Express, BBN Airlines, KlasJet, Magma Aviation and more operating in all continents in the world. The Group also provides various aviation services such as MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), pilots and crew trainings, ground handling and other interconnected solutions. Avia Solutions Group is backed by over 11,500 highly skilled aviation professionals worldwide.
www.fltechnics.com
About Grupo Puntacana
Pioneers in tourism and financial development, Grupo Puntacana is committed to the social, tourist, and economic development of the Dominican Republic. With the creation of the Logistics Center and Free Zone Park and the expansion of Terminal B of the Punta Cana International Airport, the revitalization of the economy of the area will contribute more than 10,000 jobs to the industry. www.grupopuntacana.com.do