Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. – Known worldwide for its white-sand beaches and luxury resorts, Punta Cana is preparing to take flight in an entirely new direction: becoming a regional leader in aircraft maintenance and aviation services.
Global maintenance provider FL Technics, in partnership with Grupo Puntacana, has announced a $70 million joint investment to build the country’s first independent aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility. This state-of-the-art project is expected to create more than 2,000 technical and professional jobs, with the long-term goal of placing Dominican talent in leadership roles.
Opening Career Paths in Aviation
FL Technics, internationally recognized for its expertise in training and mentoring aviation specialists, confirmed that the Punta Cana project will offer hands-on education, apprenticeships, and professional development programs for Dominicans.
“This is not a short-term initiative,” said Žilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics Group. “We are building an operation that, over time, will be led by Dominican professionals. Through partnerships with local universities and training programs, we are developing the most effective skill-building model to support careers in aviation.”
From Training to Leadership
Initially, highly qualified engineers from FL Technics’ global centers will oversee training and compliance. However, the company’s clear objective is to empower Dominican technicians and engineers to eventually lead operations.
To qualify as certified aircraft maintenance technicians under IDAC regulations (Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil), candidates must complete 24 months of practical experience and pass both theoretical and practical exams in airframe and powerplant categories.
FL Technics emphasized that beyond technical growth, its commitment includes fair contracts, safe working environments, competitive salaries, language training, and career advancement opportunities for Dominican workers.
A Three-Phase Project to Transform the Caribbean’s Aviation Landscape
The aviation hub will be developed in three stages:
- Phase One: A 20,000-square-meter hangar with five MRO bays, each handling up to 500 man-hours daily, already in active recruitment.
- Phase Two: Expansion to 12 bays.
- Phase Three: Growth to 20 bays, making it one of the largest MRO facilities in the Caribbean.
The site will service Airbus A320F and Boeing 737 NG/MAX aircraft, supporting airlines from North America, Central America, and South America, consolidating Punta Cana’s new role as an aviation maintenance hub.
Beyond Tourism: Building Punta Cana’s Future
While Punta Cana is globally recognized as the leading Caribbean destination for tourism and real estate investments, this venture signals a new era—diversifying the economy with aviation, technology, and technical education.
By merging tourism leadership with aviation innovation, Punta Cana is positioning itself not only as a paradise for visitors but also as a skilled workforce hub, offering competitive aviation careers and international opportunities.
