President Lula and Silvio Costa Filho visit an aeronautical maintenance center in São Carlos (SP)

O Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, and the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, visited this Wednesday (25) the Latam aeronautical maintenance center (MRO), in São Carlos (SP). The unit is considered the largest in South America in this segment and is undergoing an expansion process focused on research, development and innovation.

During the agenda, the complex’s facilities, responsible for around 60% of the scheduled maintenance of the Latam group’s fleet, were presented. The center employs around 2,000 professionals and plays a strategic role for the Brazilian aeronautical industry, by concentrating activities of high technical complexity.

The unit’s expansion includes investments of R$78 million, with support from the Studies and Projects Financier (Finep) and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), and includes projects aimed at modernizing aircraft, developing aeronautical subparts and incorporating digital solutions for maintenance. The initiative also contributes to establishing the city of São Carlos as a hub for innovation in the airline sector.

President Lula highlighted the potential of the partnership for the country’s development. “What is happening here today is a long-awaited marriage between one of the largest aircraft producers in the world and one of the largest companies in Latin America. And I am sure that this partnership will be a success for both companies and will be a success for Brazil”, he celebrated.

The Vice President of the Republic and Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, highlighted the importance of the partnership for strengthening the national industry. “Today is a special day and a demonstration of those who believe in Brazil”, he stated.

Minister Silvio Costa Filho highlighted the importance of the Latam center. “I am very happy to see here thousands of people from São Paulo, from Pernambuco, from people who came from the North of the country and are participating in this beautiful equipment, which generates more than 2 thousand jobs. May other airlines follow Latam’s example and invest in Embraer planes, which are now a reference in the world”, he said.

The visit also marked the celebration of 25 years of the company’s technological complex in Brazil. In the period between 2023 and 2026, Latam’s investments in the country total around US$4 billion, reinforcing the group’s commitment to expanding its operations and modernizing its fleet.

This movement is in line with recent initiatives in the sector, such as the company’s acquisition of Embraer aircraft. The agreement provides for the purchase of up to 74 E195-E2 model aircraft, 24 of which have already been confirmed, with an investment estimated at approximately US$2.1 billion (more than R$11 billion).

The CEO of Latam Brasil, Jerome Cadier, highlighted the strategic relevance of the unit and the role of the maintenance center for the company. “This space is Latam’s crown jewel. A maintenance center that has more than 2 thousand employees, carrying out aircraft maintenance, repair and production of components and much more. It’s a dream that keeps growing”, he celebrated.

aeronautical industry

Earlier, in Gavião Peixoto (SP), President Lula and Minister Silvio Costa Filho participated in the presentation of the F-39E Gripen fighter jet; first supersonic aircraft produced in the country. The project, developed in partnership with the Swedish company Saab, involves technology transfer and investments of R$28.5 billion over the period from 2014 to 2033.

The initiative reinforces the advancement of the Brazilian aeronautical industry and expands the country’s capacity to develop highly complex technologies, with impacts on the generation of qualified jobs and the strengthening of the national production chain.

Source: