The latest hangar extension at Lufthansa Technik will help attract larger aircraft for lucrative maintenance services, according to Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a third hangar extension of the German aviation company’s local branch, Mr Vella said the government expected aircraft operations to triple by 2040.

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

The extension, which cost some €4.5 million, will allow the hangar to accommodate wide-body planes such as the Airbus A330 and A340 used in long-haul flights.

Some 2,000 wide-body aircraft visited Malta in 2010 and the government is expecting that number to grow to around 3,500 a year by 2020, and 6,500 in 2030. Many of these aircraft, Mr Vella pointed out, would use local maintenance operations.

The minister said more investment was needed to sustain the fledgling sector. Lufthansa has invested some €60 million into its local operation since opening its doors in 2003.

“When the Luqa runway was originally built I doubt that anyone had even imagined it could take wide-body aircraft. Aviation has come a long way and has a lot further to go,” he said.

Lufthansa Technik Malta CEO Steven 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.

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