Airbus has broken ground on its new A400M military transport aircraft maintenance centre in Germany, which in scheduled to go into operations in 2027.

The facility, which is being constructed at the German Air Force’s Wunstorf Air Base, will create 300 jobs for mostly aeronautical engineering personnel, with employment beginning gradually from 2025.

Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, commented “The A400M has been in reliable service for the German Armed Forces for over 10 years. To keep it that way, the new Airbus A400M Maintenance Center Wunstorf is an important step forward: here, we will deepen the cooperation with the German Armed Forces and further improve the availability and operational capability of the A400M. The new maintenance centre will sustainably strengthen the successful cooperation between industry and the German Air Force.”

Stephan Weil, Minister President of Lower Saxony, added, “Airbus’ decision to establish the new maintenance center in Wunstorf is farsighted and correct. Its proximity to the air base and also to Hannover airport will ensure smooth maintenance and operational readiness of the important A400M aircraft. This project marks an important step in securing transport capacities for the security of our country and for aid transports to disaster areas.”

Construction of the maintenance centre is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and operations will commence in mid-2027 after approval by the German Armed Forces Airworthiness Office.
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