Friday, July 4, 2025
Calgary Airports and Lufthansa Technik celebrated the groundbreaking of a new state-of-the-art engine maintenance facility at YYC Calgary Airport. Representing an investment of $120 million in Western Canada’s aerospace sector, the planned engine repair shop and integrated test cell are set to establish a new benchmark in aircraft engine maintenance and repair.
Over the next two years, a 150,000-square-foot (about 14,000-square-meter) engine repair shop will be developed in cooperation with Calgary Airports for Lufthansa Technik Canada, a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik. Tailored to serve a broad range of North American carriers, the facility will focus on near-wing and quick-turn services for CFM International* LEAP-1B engines, powering the growing Boeing 737 MAX fleet. The site will also feature Canada’s first engine test cell for latest-generation aircraft engines, setting a new standard for aviation maintenance in the country. With ample natural daylight and modern equipment, it promises to provide an attractive working environment. A minimum of 160 permanent jobs will be created directly at Lufthansa Technik Canada by 2030, with an additional 170 temporary jobs during the construction phase. The engine repair station and test cell are scheduled to be operational by 2027.
“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,” said Chris Dinsdale, President and CEO of Calgary Airports. “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.”
Lufthansa Technik Canada has been collaborating closely with Calgary Airports to specify the design and logistics of the complex. The airport authority oversees the financing, planning, construction and deployment phases of the facility as a key component of YYC AeroNex, a hub of world-class aviation support and training services developed at Calgary Airport and focused on a long-term strategy to build the aviation industry in Calgary. A long-term lease agreement has been signed with Lufthansa Technik Canada.
“The increasing number of new aircraft leads to a growing demand for maintenance capacities for their engines. At our future maintenance facility in Calgary, we can provide much needed services for next generation engines to a wide range of North American airline customers,” said Georg Fanta, Vice President Commercials Engine Services at Lufthansa Technik. “It represents a strategic step forward in Lufthansa Technik’s ambitious growth plan and reaffirms our long-term commitment to innovation, performance and people in the Americas region.”
Recruitment efforts have been underway to ensure the best talent is in place for when the facility opens. Since announcing the project in February, Lufthansa Technik Canada has hired 30 colleagues, filling initial roles such as Aircraft Engine Production Planner, Production Support Engineer and Project Manager. The company plans to recruit at least 50 more employees by year’s end and is actively seeking candidates for positions including Engine Mechanics and Technical Trainers.
“Today marks a significant milestone for our partners, the Calgary Airport Authority and Lufthansa Technik Canada as they break ground on a world-class engine maintenance facility at Calgary International Airport. We are proud to be a key financing partner of a project that exemplifies the power of collaboration between industry and government to strengthen Canada’s aerospace infrastructure,” said Ehren Cory, CEO of Canada Infrastructure Bank.
To further prepare for operations, Lufthansa Technik Canada will soon open a dedicated training center in Calgary, featuring four bays to support technician education and live training events. Additional collaboration with industry partners and Western Canadian educational institutions aims to ensure a pipeline of skilled talent to meet the rising demand for aviation professionals in Alberta. This includes a partnership with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), formalized in March through a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop aviation training programs.
The project is underpinned by strong collaboration with key local and regional stakeholders. Lufthansa Technik Canada receives funding from the Government of Alberta through the Investment and Growth Fund (IGF) and the Aerospace Workforce Development Grant, along with support from Calgary Economic Development through the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF). Calgary Airports’ facility development is backed by the Canada Infrastructure Bank as part of a comprehensive financing package for aviation infrastructure, as well as Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) through its Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) program. WestJet has committed to being the first customer of the new facility.
“Today’s groundbreaking of a new state-of-the-art aircraft engine maintenance and test facility right here in Calgary is a testament to our city’s leadership and expertise in the aviation industry. I’m proud that our government is part of this major initiative to create quality jobs in our community, reduce emissions, and enhance the competitiveness of Canada’s airline sector – including the many small- and medium-sized businesses that make up the aviation supply chain,” said Corey Hogan, MP for Calgary Confederation and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
Featured image: (L to R) Corey Hogan (MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources), Vincent Yellow Old Woman (First Nation Elder, Siksika Nation), Mélanie Joly (Minister of Industry, Government of Canada), Joseph Schow (Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, Government of Alberta), Max Schramm (President and CEO of Lufthansa Technik Canada) and Georg Fanta (Vice President Commercials Engine Services at Lufthansa Technik). (Lufthansa Technik)
