FL Technics, a Lithuanian company that specializes in aircraft maintenance, repair and operation (MRO), has announced that it is opening an installation at the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) to service aircraft of different airlines. The new facility will turn PUJ into a major hub as a maintenance base for modern airliners, serving the Airbus 320 and the Boeing 737.
A press release from the company explains that the global aviation industry is facing a critical shortage of qualified aircraft maintenance technicians. This situation represents a unique opportunity for the Dominican Republic, where FL Technics will open the country’s first independent MRO center, creating more than 2,000 specialized jobs, including significant opportunities for young Dominicans.
With a projected global need for more than 400,000 aircraft maintenance technicians over the next decade, the aviation industry is facing an urgent talent gap. FL Technics, the global aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, announced the opening of the first fully independent MRO facility in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic this fall. It will create over 2,000 high-skill jobs, including aircraft mechanics, safety engineers, logistics roles, and administrative support.
The new facility will give young people invaluable hands-on experience while creating immediate employment opportunities. The aircraft MRO center in Punta Cana will increase the region’s connectivity, as aircraft from anywhere in the world will have the option of doing heavy maintenance and repair at its facilities.
“The Dominican Republic has never been an aircraft MRO hub—and that’s exactly why we see such incredible potential here,” says Žilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics Group. “There’s a clear need for skilled aviation professionals, and we know it takes years of dedicated learning, hands-on training, and certification to build true expertise. Our goal is to create a long-term learning ecosystem, where young people from the Dominican Republic and across the region can grow from apprentices into licensed aviation specialists. This isn’t just about jobs—it’s about careers, pride, and putting the Caribbean on the global aviation map.”
FL Technics plans to implement “train-to-hire” programs in partnership with local universities, maintenance schools, and vocational institutions, creating clear pathways into aviation careers. The Instituto Dominicano De Aviación Civil (IDAC) aviation maintenance technician (Técnico de Mantenimiento de Aeronaves) license includes two ratings — Airframe and Powerplant—each requiring 24 months of hands-on experience, as well as both theoretical and practical examinations.
The company will relocate experienced aviation professionals from Europe to mentor local talent, ensuring the transfer of knowledge and adherence to international standards. This approach allows career starters to learn directly from experts while gaining hands-on experience with modern aircraft.
The new facility represents a strategic partnership between FL Technics and Grupo Puntacana, a key driver of social, economic, and tourism development in the region. The latter will construct the hangar, while FL Technics will manage operations. The company has already begun actively recruiting local employees as part of its commitment to developing regional talent and reducing brain drain, bringing Dominican aviation professionals back home to earn comparable salaries in a lower-cost environment.
“We are committed to upskilling local talent through hands-on mentorship and targeted training programs,” says Lapinskas. “With experienced engineers from Europe providing critical expertise, dedicated individuals can develop from entry-level technicians to skilled engineers in two to four years. Through partnerships with local schools and universities, we aim to foster long-term growth and create sustainable careers in Caribbean aviation.”
The openiung of the new FL Technics training and maintenance facility will reinforce the positioning of the Punta Cana International Airport, already the busiest in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, as a major global logistics hub as well.
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4 August 2025