German leisure airline Condor has established a maintenance operation in a Dusseldorf hangar previously occupied by now-defunct Air Berlin.

Noting its growth in Dusseldorf since that airline ceased operations in 2017, Condor says it has rented a section of the airport's hangar 7 for 10 years. The space will be used by Condor Technik to service the German-registered Airbus A320s and A321s of parent group Thomas Cook.

A first check has already begun there, and Condor intends to employ around 80 technical and 20 logistical staff at the facility by summer 2019.

The lease agreement covers a hangar section accommodating three narrowbodies, plus workshop, office and warehouse space.

Designed to support long-haul aircraft, hangar 7 was opened in 2009 and served for several years as Air Berlin Technik's main MRO facility, before A320-family heavy checks were transferred to Munich.

Condor's managing director of operations Christian Schmitt says the Frankfurt-based carrier has increased its Dusseldorf-based fleet from four to nine aircraft.

"It is therefore a logical step for us to grow with our own maintenance operations so that we can also be represented on site," he states.

He adds that Condor "continues to expect growth" at Dusseldorf airport, the largest gateway in Germany's most populous state of North Rhine Westphalia.

Source: Cirium Dashboard