Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines have begun the construction of their new joint venture (JV) shop, EME Aero, in Jasionka, near Rzeszów city in Poland, with an investment of €150m.

The facility will provide maintenance repair operations (MRO) for the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine family, which currently powers five regional and narrowbody aircraft platforms, including Airbus’s A220 and the A320neo family, and the Embraer E190-E2 aircraft.

Expected to be equipped with 40,000m² of workspace, EME Aero is scheduled to begin service by the end of next year.

Lufthansa Technik CEO Dr Johannes Bussmann said: “This joint venture is an important step for Lufthansa Technik and our partner MTU in expanding our respective engine maintenance businesses.

“That is why this laying of the foundation stone marks an important day, as EME Aero will enable both companies to provide technical support for one of the world’s most important aircraft engines.”

“This joint venture is an important step for Lufthansa Technik and our partner MTU in expanding our respective engine maintenance businesses.”

The EME Aero site spans across an area of about 160,000m², equivalent to around 23 football fields.

The facility has already recruited nearly 70 employees and is expected to create 1,000 new jobs.

In addition, a staff training centre was built at the Jasionka site, slated to open this month.

MTU Aero Engines chief programme officer Michael Schreyoegg said: “Above all, one factor is driving growth in our industry: more passengers are in the air. Year on year, we see flight hour growth rates of more than 6%.

“The Geared Turbofan engine family will serve this growth.

“It is one of the most advanced propulsion systems in the market and plays an important role in MTU’s commercial aircraft business – from an OEM as well as from a maintenance perspective.”

Furthermore, with the new MRO JV, MTU Aero Engines aims to support its global ramp-up plan.