MRO

Dubai, 8th Jan 2025: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East’s facility at Dubai’s Al-Maktoum International Airport (DWC) to perform line and base maintenance on Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft. This certification comes in response to growing customer demand and reflects ExecuJet’s commitment to meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding fleet in the region. “We are excited to extend our support to the Bombardier Global 7500 with EASA certification for our state-of-the-art DWC facility,” says Nick Weber, Regional VP for the Middle East at ExecuJet MRO Services. “With years of experience maintaining the Challenger and Global series, our team is committed to delivering the highest standards of quality, safety and craftsmanship. Whether it’s scheduled maintenance, unscheduled repairs or mobile repair team (MRT) requirements; ExecuJet is dedicated to providing expert service that exceeds our customers’ expectations.” The DWC MRO facility is a purpose-built 15,344m2 air-conditioned facility with wide ranging MRO capabilities to support various aircraft and engine models. The facility also houses workshops for non-destructive testing (NDT), sheet-metal and composite repair capabilities,painting, touch up and so on. The MRO provider’s longstanding reputation for excellence is underscored by its record of Service Excellence Awards, including Bombardier’s Business Aircraft Authorised Service Facility overall and international rankings for 2011-2015 and 2018-2020. These awards, based on key performance indicators, highlight ExecuJet’s dedication to exceptional customer service, aircraft reliability and on-time performance. “We understand the importance of aircraft availability and on-time departures for our customers. We continue to focus on improving aircraft reliability and operational efficiency,” says Weber. “ExecuJet is well-positioned to support the growing Global 7500 fleet with the same level of professionalism and expertise our customers have come to rely on,” he adds.

Dubai,09 December 2024: flydubai has received the GCAA CAR 147 Approved Maintenance Training Organisation certification, enabling it to run its in-house maintenance and engineering training and certification. The CAR 147 training certification is a regulatory framework established by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the UAE, which allows the airline to provide approved training for aircraft maintenance engineers and technicians. The certification ensures that the training programmes meet specific standards and requirements set by the GCAA, aligning with international aviation standards and recommended practices. His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said: “granting flydubai a maintenance training organisation approval represents a major advancement in the educational infrastructure to train and qualify skilled professionals in the civil aviation sector. This initiative also strengthens our national capabilities in this field, aligning with the highest international standards.” Al Suwaidi continued: “it is essential for organisations to keep pace with rapid changes in the aviation industry by updating their training programmes and enhancing their capabilities. By enabling the airline to prepare highly qualified engineers and technicians, flydubai will significantly contribute to the aviation sector in the country and provide the necessary competencies in this vital field.” Commenting on receiving the new certification, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are very proud to receive the CAR 147 approval which represents another milestone in flydubai’s journey. Underscoring our continued commitment to investing in our in-house capabilities, the certification will also help in building a solid foundation for further growth as part of our role in supporting Dubai’s economic and aviation vision.” The certification will enable flydubai to cultivate and grow its skilled maintenance and engineering workforce and support its growing fleet over the coming years. The airline has also announced its first purpose-built maintenance facility which is set to open in Dubai South by 2026. Obtaining the CAR 147 certification enables flydubai to tailor the curriculum to its specific operational needs, aircraft types and the highest safety standards. This enhances in-house capabilities and streamlines the onboarding process, enabling the airline to quickly scale its workforce to meet growing operational demands. Khalid Alhumaidan, Senior Vice President of Compliance, Safety and Sustainability at flydubai, added: “I would like to thank the teams at flydubai and the GCAA for all their hard work in laying the foundation for this certification. Our focus is to develop new talent through a structured programme that trains candidates to become qualified engineering and maintenance professionals, trained to the highest safety and quality standards and enabling them to support and sustain flydubai’s future plans.”

BALI,November 29, 2024: FL Technics Indonesia (PT Avia Technics Dirgantara), a subsidiary of global aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) leader FL Technics, proudly unveils its new 17,000-square-meter MRO facility in Bali. Strategically located at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), this cutting-edge facility will serve the fast-growing MRO needs for narrowbody aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft. The grand opening ceremony gathered esteemed aviation leaders, government representatives, and FL Technics’ parent company, Avia Solutions Group, to mark this milestone event. “This facility is a testament to our commitment to Asia and Australia’s aviation growth. It will empower airlines to uphold the highest safety and efficiency standards,” said Zilvinas Lapinskas, Chief Executive Officer of FL Technics Group. “These three hangars represent a triumph for the region and our group, unlocking opportunities and driving progress for businesses and communities in Asia, Australia, and beyond.” The new six-bay maintenance hub is purpose-built to support classic and next-generation models of the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320 family, including current and new engine options. Designed to meet the growing regional demand for these aircraft types, the facility is equipped with dedicated production shops and offices, creating over 500 new jobs for the local economy. FL Technics Indonesia operates under Part-145 AMO certifications issued by the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and its services are also planned to achieve CASA, FAA, and EASA certificates of approval in the coming months. “This expansion comes at a crucial time for the Asian aviation market,” said Martynas Grigas, CEO of FL Technics Indonesia. “With our advanced infrastructure and the presence of other Avia Solutions Group companies like BBN Airlines Indonesia, SkyTrans, and Thai SmartLynx, we’re poised to strengthen supply chains, bolster growth, and support airlines across the region and beyond.” FL Technics’ new facility in Bali joins its extensive MRO network, which includes base maintenance hangars in Lithuania (Vilnius and Kaunas International Airports), the UK (Prestwick International Airport), Indonesia (Jakarta International Airport), and an upcoming location in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana International Airport).

Ireland,25th Nov 2024: Alliance Aerospace, as part of the Alliance Aviation Group, has been awarded EASA Part 145 approval from the Irish Aviation Authority. The accreditation bolsters capabilities at its 3000m2 FBO Hangar facility located at Westlands Apron, Dublin Airport (EIDW), Ireland. The process of approval was completed within six months. With helpful assistance from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Alliance Aerospace was able to establish the required procedures, equipment and personnel required to attain the approval. It can now provide MRO/AOG Support services from its Dublin base to General Aviation customers. Initially targeting the Gulfstream family of aircraft, this EASA Part 145 approval augments Alliance Aviation Group’s extensive portfolio of services, which includes CAMO support, aircraft management, aircraft charter, hangarage, ground handling and trip support services, plus technical assistance, all whilst operating to the highest quality safety standards. Brendan McQuaid, Alliance Aviation Group CEO commented: “We are delighted to achieve this Part 145 approval which usefully extends our range of capabilities to our base clients. It enables us to expand our offering to other GA customers also from our base here in Dublin. I am most grateful to our stellar team at Alliance Aerospace who worked so hard to achieve this approval.” Mick Conlon, Technical Director Alliance Aerospace, commented: “This latest approval will strengthen and enhance Alliance Aerospace’s services from our facility in Dublin. In attaining this we have become the first engineering business here to offer line maintenance on Gulfstream type aircraft. Whilst we are currently Gulfstream G650 approved, we are planning to add additional Gulfstream, Bombardier and Dassault Falcon type ratings to our approvals in the near future. We look forward to offering first class, quick and efficient scheduled and unscheduled line maintenance support to all our customers.” Liam Murphy, FBO Regional Manager Alliance Aviation Group, stated: “This approval is another milestone achievement for our ever-expanding facility in Dublin. Having developed our FBO and Ground Handling capabilities over the last 18 months, achieving this Part 145 status permits us to expand further and position ourselves to deliver a full service FBO package to existing and potential new clients.”

Astana, 7th Nov 2024: Air Astana has become the first Kazakh carrier to carry out a heavy maintenance 12-Year C-check, which was conducted on an Air Astana Airbus A321 aircraft. “Our successful completion of the first heavy maintenance 12-Year C-check on an Airbus A321 serves to confirm the sophisticated and growing capability of Air Astana’s engineering resource and staff” said Robert Dando, Director Astana Technical Centre and C-Check maintenance. “The ongoing commitment to develop in-house maintenance strength has significantly reduced costs previously incurred when heavy maintenance tasks were undertaken outside Kazakhstan.” During the 12-Year C-check, comprehensive in-depth inspections and tests were conducted on all parts of the aircraft. The aircraft is systematically stripped down and a full inspection of the aircraft structure and components is performed, including inside the fuel tanks. The use of non-destructive testing methods are used to achieve some of these inspections. Major components such as the engines were removed for the inspection of their attachments and structure. After completing these tasks, the aircraft was rebuilt, and then extensive system tests were carried out. After all maintenance is complete, a maintenance check flight is performed to ensure everything if functioning correctly, from flight controls to in-flight entertainment, and then the aircraft can be released for passenger operation. The Airbus A321 that underwent the 12-Year C-check has been flying in Air Astana’s fleet since 2012. The company plans to perform another 12-Year C-check by the end of this year. Air Astana was approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency to conduct 12-Year C-checks on Airbus A320/A321 aircraft in 2023. Air Astana performed its very first 1C-check in 2019, the first 2C-check in 2022 and the first 6-Year C-check in 2023, and in total Air Astana has now completed 32 C-checks in-house.

Gurugram, 28th October 2024: Air India has received the Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) designated as CAR 21 approval. A significant milestone, this will enable Air India to independently make design changes in-house and implement modifications to its aircraft interiors more efficiently. Air India is the first airline in India to attain this level of authorisation, accelerating its ability to execute restoration tasks for continuous improvement of its fleet. The approval was handed over to Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India by D.C. Sharma, Director General, DGCA on 25 October 2024 in the presence of other senior officials of Air India and DGCA, the civil aviation regulator. Air India had earlier entered a collaboration with Tata Technologies, a global engineering and product development digital services company, to enhance aircraft interiors in its fleet aligned with the CAR 21 approval for aircraft modifications. The DOA is a transformative step towards enhancing Air India’s in-house capabilities, which has been bolstered by decisions to set up its own engineering, maintenance and training facilities. This will enhance operational efficiency and make the airline more self-reliant. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India said, “India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory and Air India is playing a leading role in it. The approval reaffirms our capabilities to maintain our fleet and commitment to enhance customer experience of our aircraft interiors. The collaboration with Tata Technologies will help us meet customer expectations, aligning with our broader goals of operational excellence and self-reliance.” Warren Harris, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Technologies, speaking on the collaboration with Air India, said: “Our partnership with Air India represents a significant step forward in redefining air travel experiences through innovation and strategic engineering. By leveraging our global aerospace expertise, we are committed to delivering next-generation aircraft interiors that not only meet the highest standards of functionality and safety but also enhance customer satisfaction. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to engineering a better world and supporting the advancement of the Indian aviation sector.” The partnership will streamline Air India’s operations by integrating innovative digital thread solutions and smart Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. This will improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure that Air India’s fleet remains fit to fly, further enhancing passenger safety, comfort and operational reliability.

Liebherr-Aerospace and Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering announce the signature of a three-year agreement covering the maintenance of heat transfer equipment on board the Airbus A320ceo/neo fleet of EGYPTAIR. The contract also covers the Airbus A320ceo/neo fleets of other airlines, which are presently supported by Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering. The goal: Customers shall benefit from fast response and shorter turn-around-times as well as Liebherr’s Original Equipment Manufacturer experience. Cairo (Egypt), September 2024: Liebherr-Aerospace and Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering have recently signed a major heat transfer maintenance services agreement. Over the next three years, Liebherr and Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering will jointly provide maintenance and re-coring services of heat transfer equipment that is on-board the Airbus A320ceo/neo fleet operated by EGYPTAIR and other airlines that have a standing MRO contract with EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING. The re-coring and major repairs will take place at the workshops of Liebherr Aerospace Saline, Inc., in Michigan (USA), already for several decades Liebherr’s center of excellence for heat transfer equipment MRO services in the Americas. By providing localized support and reducing dependency on external services, EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING is positioned as a key player in driving operational efficiency for airlines, especially within Africa and the Middle East. With reduced turnaround times and enhanced responsiveness, this partnership ensures that EGYPTAIR is at the forefront of delivering world-class maintenance solutions, tailored to the specific needs of its global clients. “We are delighted to be working with EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING, one of the leading providers of MRO services in aviation,” commented Alex Vlielander, Chief Customer Officer of Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS. “This agreement sets out the framework of a win-win partnership for both parties that will allow us in particular to further develop our repair network.” “We are very happy to work with Liebherr-Aerospace to support our fleet of A320ceo/neo and the fleets of our customers that we already take care of under already existing maintenance contracts,” added Eng. Ibrahim Fathy, Chairman & CEO of Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering. “Liebherr provides a high level of performance and flexibility. They understand and meet our and our customers’ requirements.” Fathy added that Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering will leverage Liebherr’s OEM expertise to reinforce its leadership in MRO services by undertaking a critical role in the repair process. With its advanced facilities in Cairo, EGYPTAIR MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING will be responsible for executing major non-welding repairs, performing minor repairs, and conducting all test procedures to ensure the highest standards of quality and reliability. This strategic collaboration not only enhances EGYPTAIR’s technical capabilities but also enables it to deliver highly efficient and timely services across its expansive MRO network leading to widening our customer base and driving business growth.

Sepang, 26th Sept. 2024: Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) arm of Capital A, celebrated the grand opening of its latest 14-line MRO hangar on Thursday. This new landmark facility marks a significant milestone as Malaysia’s largest and most advanced MRO hangar, underscoring ADE’s commitment to leading the MRO industry in Asean. Covering an area of more than 380,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility spans 20.25 acres within the KLIA Aeronautical Support Zone 1 (ASZ 1) under Malaysia Airports’ KLIA Aeropolis development. The hangar features dedicated workshops, including a Composite Workshop, Sheet Metal & Machine Workshop, Upholstery Workshop, Cabin Interior Repair Workshop, Oven & Boiler Workshop, and a 3D Printing Lab for aircraft livery. Additionally, it houses a Digital Product Development Centre, positioning ADE as one of the most extensive MRO providers in the region. At the event, the Malaysia Book of Records recognized the new facility with three prestigious national records: Longest Single Span Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) System Rafter, Longest Locally Designed Single Span Truss Frame System, and Longest Vertical Hangar Door (Megadoor). These honours highlight the architectural and engineering excellence of the facility, setting it as a benchmark in the industry and highlighting Malaysia’s growing prominence in the global aerospace sector. This recognition celebrates the innovation and dedication behind the MRO facility, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s aviation history. Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, said, “We are incredibly proud of ADE’s achievement. The new hangar is not just a facility; it represents our vision for the future of MRO in Asia with our ambitions to disrupt and become the leading provider in South East Asia and beyond. In just four years since ADE’s inception, we have built the competencies and facilities necessary to become a leader in this segment. With Malaysia’s strategic location and our investment in cutting-edge technology, ADE is set to revolutionise the MRO landscape, offering innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions in the region. This facility will enhance our capability to provide top-notch value and services to AirAsia and other airlines. This growth is also crucial in supporting AirAsia’s ambitious goal of operating 300 aircraft within five years. This milestone firmly places Malaysia on the map as a world-leading MRO provider.” Subashini Silvadas, CEO of Capital Aviation Services (CAPAS), said, “The launch of ADE’s 14-line hangar is a pivotal moment and marks a significant milestone for ADE, our MRO business and the broader CAPAS portfolio companies. As we continue to expand our services which includes Santan (inflight catering business), Darts (back office shared services business), and upcoming ground handling business, we remain steadfast in our commitment to safety, innovation and excellence. Our vision is to establish CAPAS as Asia’s leading aviation service provider, delivering exceptional service, and value to our clients, exceeding the standards of the industry.” Mahesh Kumar, CEO of ADE, added, “The completion of this hangar is perfectly timed to meet our growing demand for MRO services. We will be completing our 200th C-check this year with initially seven lines, and the addition of up to 14 lines will significantly expand our capacity to serve more clients. This landmark facility not only enhances our capabilities but also creates at least 500 new jobs in Malaysia, attracting local talent and foreign investment. We are committed to nurturing aviation professionals and setting new standards in the MRO industry. This hangar is a testament to our team’s dedication and continuous support from partners.” To leverage its ongoing expansion, ADE is conducting soil testing on a five-acre plot adjacent to its new MRO hangar, with plans to build a supplementary four-line facility in line with strong forecast demand. Additionally, ADE is in discussions with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad to acquire an additional 20 acres within the KLIA area for development as a premier MRO centre. With over 20 years of engineering experience servicing the world’s best low-cost airline AirAsia, ADE is extending its expertise and best practices in airline engineering to attract more third-party airlines. Services include component support, line maintenance, and base maintenance for various aircraft models, such as the Airbus A320 and A330 families, as well as the Boeing 737 family, with plans to expand capacity to service other aircraft types in the future. ADE has recently received EASA’s Part 145 Maintenance Organisation approval and Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) approvals in seven other countries with plans to expand to other countries in the region. In 2023, ADE secured USD 100 million investment from OCP Asia Ltd., gaining significant boost for the next phase of growth.