Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – In a bold move to strengthen technical employment and address youth unemployment across the region, global MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) company FL Technics has announced plans to open its first independent aircraft maintenance facility in Latin America. The center, to be located in Punta Cana, is expected to create over 2,000 skilled jobs in the coming years.
Scheduled to become operational by late 2025, the new hangar will initially generate 300 job opportunities, focusing on base maintenance services for Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 aircraft. This initiative positions Punta Cana as an emerging hub for commercial aviation in the Americas and marks the Dominican Republic as a rising player in the global aerospace services sector.
“The region needs stable employment, technical training, and real opportunities for professional development. That’s exactly what FL Technics is here to provide,” said Žilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics. “We’re looking for local talent with experience in mechanics, tourism, or hospitality—skills that can successfully transition into aircraft maintenance.”
According to data from the World Bank and the International Labour Organization (ILO), over 55% of workers in Latin America and the Caribbean are employed informally, lacking social protections, earning low wages, and facing limited upward mobility. In this context, FL Technics aims to offer a viable pathway for Dominican youth to enter long-term technical careers.
“Aircraft maintenance doesn’t require prior aviation experience,” Lapinskas explained. “What we need are technical skills, problem-solving ability, and commitment. We’ll provide the training and support.”
He emphasized the valuable skill sets of Caribbean workers: “Their hospitality experience enhances process coordination and safety. Auto repair knowledge is highly transferable to aircraft maintenance. And the tourism sector has cultivated a multilingual, service-oriented workforce that aligns perfectly with our industry needs.”
FL Technics, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, operates in over 20 countries worldwide. Its new Punta Cana facility will capitalize on the strategic geographic location and robust air connectivity of the Dominican Republic—Punta Cana International Airport handles nearly 8 million passengers annually and connects to 77 international destinations.
This venture represents a direct investment in Dominican human capital, aimed at reshaping the local labor market with sustainable, high-quality employment opportunities for young people.
Recruitment efforts for the Punta Cana facility are already underway, with full operations anticipated by the end of the year. The new center will enhance FL Technics’ presence in the Americas, offering essential maintenance services for two of the world’s most widely used aircraft models.
