Ponte de Sor, Portalegre, Portugal, Oct. 11, 2024 (Lusa) - Portuguese company Aeromec is due to start servicing and maintenance of large aircraft at Ponte de Sor Municipal Aerodrome, in the northern district of Portalegre, by the end of the year, becoming a pioneer in this area at the aerodrome, it was announced on Friday.
The project is expected to start with 25 qualified workers, in an investment that already amounts to €1 million, according to the promoters.
Speaking to the Lusa news agency, Aeromec's director of innovation and business development, Eduardo Nunes, explained that the company, which has been dedicated to aircraft maintenance for over 30 years, is preparing a hangar at the airfield "with 6,000 square metres" and with "the capacity to accommodate three aircraft, of the Airbus A320 type".
"We are currently getting certified by the aeronautical authorities so that our hangar can receive large aeroplanes and we can start aeronautical maintenance services," he said.
The official, who was talking about this project during the Portugal Air Summit at the Ponte de Sor Municipal Aerodrome, indicated that they are currently training technicians for the operation to be carried out there.
"We are already training technicians, we have a contract with an airline to provide maintenance services in Ponte de Sor and we are investing heavily in equipment so that the hangar has all the conditions to be certified and begin operations," he emphasised.
According to Eduardo Nunes, this operation is aimed at civil and military aircraft, with an ‘eye’ on the domestic market, but ‘above all’ on the international market.
"The number of technicians in this initial phase will be around 25, but then with growth prospects over the next few years that could reach 60, 80, 100 technicians," he added.
Aeromec's innovation director also indicated that they are investing in training, having already developed aeronautical mechanic courses with the Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP).
"We're going to need young people, we believe it will be an opportunity to attract young people to this area, because it's a very well paid activity," he warned.
Speaking to Lusa, the deputy mayor of Ponte de Sor, Rogério Alves, believes that this operation at the aerodrome ‘is a historic milestone’, as ‘yet another sector’ is opening up in the aeronautical cluster.
"We didn't have this type of activity yet, we had aircraft maintenance for pilot schools," he noted.
For the mayor, who is in charge of the Ponte de Sor Municipal Aerodrome, this is a ‘new cycle’ of investment that is beginning in that space.
Rogério Alves also guaranteed that the local authority also hopes to provide a response to the skilled labour that is expected in Ponte de Sor, particularly in terms of housing, education, culture and sport.
HYT/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
