Inside MRO Contracts & Briefs For December 2023

HIGHLIGHTS

Emirates Plans Expansive New Engineering Facility

Following its orders for nearly 100 new Boeing aircraft on the first day of the Dubai Airshow, Emirates announced it will build a large new engineering facility at Dubai World Central to support its growing fleet and operating requirements into the 2040s.

Emirates says the 1 million-m² (approximately 10.8 million-ft.²) complex will be “the largest and most advanced of its kind to be operated by any airline.” Emirates is investing $950 million in the project, which it says will create thousands of skilled technical jobs.

The engineering facility will offer a range of aftermarket services, including aircraft checks, light-to-heavy maintenance programs, engine repair and testing, aircraft painting, cabin interior modifications and aircraft conversions.

Emirates plans to begin the first phase of construction next year, with completion expected in 2027. The complex will include eight maintenance hangars and an aircraft paint hangar, all of which will be capable of handling up to Airbus A380-sized aircraft. The facility will also feature an engine run-up facility, around 20 workshops, large storage facilities and administration offices.

ADE Obtains European Maintenance Approval

Capital A’s MRO subsidiary Asia Digital Engineering has received Part 145 maintenance organization approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. The approval is its first from a regulator outside the Asia-Pacific region.

Asia Digital Engineering (ADE) CEO Mahesh Kumar says the approval will enable the company “to provide industry-leading aircraft maintenance support in Asia Pacific and beyond.” The company already holds maintenance organization approvals from regulators in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines and Singapore.

ADE is also building a new 380,000-ft.2 maintenance hangar at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It says the new hangar, which will be able to accommodate 14 narrowbodies simultaneously, is expected to be complete by the first half of 2024. The facility will also be able to handle widebody aircraft.

ADE plans to hire 500-600 workers in 2024 to accommodate growing capacity, including aircraft technicians and engineers.

VSE Aviation Expands Aftermarket Reach

VSE Aviation has announced six new aftermarket distribution agreements and plans to open a facility in Hamburg during the first quarter of next year. The agreements involve several manufacturers with contract terms ranging from 1-15 years. The deals are worth about $750 million.

The most notable agreement is with Pratt & Whitney Canada to support the European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) markets. VSE Aviation plans to provide engine line maintenance, spare parts and engine accessory exchange support to engine operators, customers and maintenance providers.

VSE Aviation will also expand an existing sole distributor agreement for Honeywell’s JetWave tail-mounted antenna systems in the EMEA and India.

Under another agreement with an unspecified tire supplier, VSE will distribute retreaded tires for the regional airline sector. This partnership leverages VSE’s recent acquisition of Desser Aerospace and broadens the services that VSE Aviation provides. The acquisition will also support VSE’s distribution of lead-acid batteries to the business and general aviation sectors under an expended agreement with a manufacturer of ground power batteries.

CONTRACTS

AerFin extended its BeyondPool component support program with Finnair for 12 Embraer E190s through to 2030.

Airinmar was selected by Pegasus Airlines to provide warranty management services.

Amazon Global Air selected Rolls-Royce to provide Trent 700 maintenance for 10 Airbus A330-200P2Fs.

Boeing Global Services was selected by Royal Jordanian to provide modification services for seven 787-8s, to enhance inflight connectivity for passengers and crew.

Cebu Pacific selected Lufthansa Technik to provide Airbus A330neo base maintenance.

CFM International has won Leap maintenance contracts from Air Cairo for 14 Airbus A320neos and flydubai for 111 Boeing 737 MAXs.

Ethiopian Airlines selected Boeing Global Services to work on cabin refurbishment for its existing 787 fleet, which includes installation of IFE systems and seats.

Etihad Engineering extended its long-standing agreement with Sanad for engine maintenance services.

Honeywell has secured a five-year EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering contract to provide flat-rate component repair services for EgyptAir’s fleet.

Joramco has won a new Emirates contract to provide additional nose-to-tail Boeing 777 maintenance services through 2025.

Lufthansa Technik was selected by Emirates to perform C checks on 23 Airbus A380s over three years. It also secured 10-year Total Component Support agreement with Saudia for 53 A320s and 31 A330s in addition to 39 777s and 18 787s.

Pratt & Whitney Canada has won a 10-year Emirates contract to maintain and support 116 PW980 APUs on its A380s.

Rolls-Royce was selected by EgyptAir for TotalCare maintenance for 10 Trent XWB-powered A350s on order.

Royal Jordanian selected Lufthansa Technik Budapest to perform A320 base maintenance.

Safran Nacelles signed NacelleLife service agreements with EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering to support thrust reversers for 11 EgyptAir A330ceos; and Saudia to support nacelles for 35 Leap-powered A320neo-family aircraft.

Saudia Technic was licensed by Honeywell for 331-500 APU maintenance as an authorized service center in Middle East.