FL Technics Punta Cana facility launches with arrival of first aircraft

First Airbus A320CEO has arrived at FL Technics new MRO hub at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), marking the official start of operations at the five-bay heavy maintenance hangar operated by FL Technics. As a $70 million joint investment with Grupo Puntacana, the opening of the facility signals the Dominican Republic’s emergence as a hub for high-value aviation infrastructure. Through investments like this one, outside of the region’s typical industries of tourism, energy, and real estate, the country’s GDP is projected to rise 4.5% in 2026, one of the fastest growth rates in the Western Hemisphere.

The newly opened facility is the first heavy maintenance center of its kind in the Dominican Republic and the company’s first site dedicated to heavy maintenance operations in the Americas. The hangar covers more than 20,000 square meters and has five maintenance bays, equipped to support the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families. With the recent RAD-145 certification, the site is now approved by both the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute and the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Meeting evolving MRO needs

FL Technics is building its presence in the Americas to meet rising demand from airlines and operators across North, Central, and South America. By offering certified heavy maintenance services for narrow-body aircraft, the Punta Cana hub is set up to serve a range of airline clients across the American markets with high-quality, nearshore MRO capacity.

Juozas Lapeika, Chief Base Maintenance Officer at FL Technics commented: “Our long-term mission is to bring safe and efficient aviation MRO services closer to our customers across the Americas while helping strengthen the aviation ecosystem in the regions where we operate. This is the first step in FL Technics’ journey in the Caribbean, but we believe it marks the beginning of something much bigger for the Dominican aviation industry. We’re already inspired by the enthusiasm of young Dominican talent eager to help shape the country’s aviation future.”

At full operational scale, the facility will provide up to 2,000 new skilled jobs as it ramps up from its initial phases. Its capacity is designed for heavy checks and key technical services needed by major airline fleets crossing the region. Modern infrastructure and advanced tooling will allow the center to support multiple operators efficiently and at a high standard, serving as a progressive hub for scheduled maintenance and repairs.

Plans for future growth

The new Punta Cana hub is just a starting point for FL Technics’ commitment to long-term growth in the region, according to Mejico Angeles Lithgow, CEO of FL Technics in the Dominican Republic :“This first arrival is an important moment for our team and the country. It is evidence that high-level aviation maintenance can be delivered right here in the Dominican Republic. Looking ahead, we are focused on expanding our capabilities, not just through larger facilities but by training and developing our own local workforce. One of our next big steps will be the launch of a dedicated aviation MRO academy to train technicians locally and build a solid pipeline of talent for the future.”

FL Technics has plans in place to support this growth. Future phases for the Punta Cana base include expanding hangar capacities and increasing service offerings. These moves position the Punta Cana hub as a central resource for maintenance and skilled jobs, supporting both the country’s aviation ambitions and wider economic development.