Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella this morning reiterated government support to the aviation maintenance sector as he inaugurated a newly-extended hangar at Lufthansa Technik Malta. 

The extension will enable the company to work simultaneously on three large wide-bodied aircraft.

“We have identified aviation as a major growth area and are working towards supporting it through this growth,” the minister said.

The extension, which cost some €4.5 million, will allow the hangar to accommodate planes such as the Airbus A330 and A340.

Lufthansa Technik Malta CEO Stephan Drewes said the hangar extension would play a pivotal role in bringing large carriers to the island.

“This new hangar is a nest for big birds. Even though there are some strong headwinds in the international market. We are striving on,” he said.

Mr Vella said the aeronautic company, which employs some 550 workers, was one of the major players in Malta’s “healthy relationship” with the German market.

“When I was Minister for Industry Germany was the number one investor in manufacturing. That was a long time ago, but now as Minister for Tourism I can honestly say that the German market is a major player in the tourism industry also,” he said.