LUSA TAKE

A new hangar at the Municipal Airfield, operated by LD Helmet, is now up and running, producing state-of-the-art helmets for both civilian and military aircraft pilots.

On Wednesday, the Municipality of Ponte de Sor and LD Helmet inaugurated a new hangar at the Municipal Airfield, involving an investment of three million euros, dedicated to the production of next-generation helmets for high-performance civilian and military aircraft pilots.

The facility, already operational, also manufactures various components such as visors and accessories. “This represents a decisive step in strengthening the company’s industrial and technological presence on national territory,” noted the municipality, led by Mayor Hugo Hilário.

The inauguration follows “a period of adapting the space, installing equipment, securing the necessary aeronautical licenses and certifications, as well as recruiting and training the technical team,” the municipality added.

The construction of the hangar represented an investment of around 1.3 million euros and, according to the municipality, “was part of the modernization plan for the Ponte de Sor Municipal Airfield, under the Portugal 2020 program, Axis III – Competitiveness and Internationalization.”

LD Helmet itself invested two million euros in acquiring equipment and is expected to spend an additional 500 thousand euros on further equipment reinforcement, hiring new staff, and specialized training initiatives.

The session was attended by Mayor Hugo Hilário and LD Helmet CEO Richard Francoise, along with representatives from the Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Alentejo), ADRAL – Alentejo Regional Development Agency, and IAPMEI – Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation.