North Texas’ aviation industry marked a new altitude this week with the official opening of MTU Maintenance Fort Worth’s modernized facility at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport.

MTU Maintenance Fort Worth’s approximately 460,000-square-foot facility is a main hub for the Germany-based MTU Aero Engines’ work in North America. It inducted its first CFM International LEAP-1B engine, which belongs to Brazilian airline GOL Linhas Aéreas (GOL). The LEAP-1B is an advanced aircraft engine that offers high fuel efficiency and lower emissions and noise levels.

 Global growth

The move is part of MTU’s systematic expansion of its global footprint, MTU Aero Engines CEO Johannes Bussmann said in an announcement. The company is investing $120 million in upgrading the facility.

“The opening of our Fort Worth facility demonstrates our commitment to growth, to our customers and to strengthening transatlantic partnerships,” Bussmann said. “The site will be a cornerstone of our strategy to support next-generation engine programs at scale.”

It’s also significant for GOL, a longtime MTU customer. The airline has worked with MTU for more than 20 years. Today, the low-cost carrier operates more than 60 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines. It was the first South American operator to use this engine type.

“MTU’s technical expertise and tailored support are crucial to our operations,” GOL COO Albert Pérez said. “We rely on their services to ensure the highest reliability and performance for our fleet.”

North Texas growth plans

The official opening of the modernized Fort Worth facility is a milestone in MTU Maintenance’s investment there. The company signed a 30-year lease with the City of Fort Worth in June 2025. At the time, it framed the deal as a key part of the company’s planned growth in North America.

The Fort Worth site is expanding from an on-site service center to a full disassembly, assembly and test facility. MTU plans to introduce maintenance for GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines there next.

Once the site is fully ramped up, MTU said it will employ more than 1,200 people there. It already is home to an on-site training academy to make sure the company’s advanced engine programs have the long-term expertise they need.

“We are extremely proud of all our team has achieved in a short space of time and look forward to seeing our facility, the team and our customer base grow significantly in the coming years,” said Gernot Sell, managing director, MTU Maintenance Fort Worth.

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R E A D   N E X T

North Texas has plenty to see, hear, and watch. Here are our editors’ picks. Plus, you’ll find more selections to “save the date.”

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Nnamdi Njoku

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