Story ID: 
Lufthansa Technik Sofia Expands Hangar Capacity 
By: David A. Lombardo
Caption: Lufthansa Technik Sofia is expanding its single-aisle hangar capacity by adding two new bays for heavy checks.
Word Count: 189
Lufthansa Technik Sofia is expanding its single-aisle hangar capacity by adding two new bays for heavy checks. The company also has plans to build a separate smaller hangar for line maintenance operations and lighter checks. The addition nearly doubles the company’s maintenance, repair and overhaul capacity for the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320 series to four aircraft side-by-side. The first bay of the new 56,000-sq-ft hangar will be operational in the first quarter of next year, with the second bay opening a few months later. Once the addition is completed, the MRO will increase it staff by more than 150 people, bringing it to a total of 500 employees by the end of next year. The $20 million project is a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik and Bulgarian Aviation Group. Plamen Atanassov, CEO of Bulgarian Aviation Group, said, “I am truly happy that our collaboration with Lufthansa Technik is being brought to a new level. The expansion of Lufthansa Technik Sofia is a positive development for Bulgaria and Bulgarian Aviation in general. “Since 2007 Lufthansa Technik Sofia has conducted more than 60 heavy checks on Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s.”