Ethiopian airlines signed an agreement with SANAD to create MRO center of excellence in Africa to collaborate and maximize on aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business opportunities in the region.
The agreement which will last for the next 15 years, will help establishing a Centre of Excellence for the repair and overhaul of auxiliary power units (APU) in Addis Ababa and will start with APU’s used on B737 and A320 aircraft and has future aspirations to expand capabilities to include aircraft components and aircraft engine MRO
Mansoor Janahi, Sanad Aerotech CEO, said “Sanad continues to push ahead with its strategy of expanding a global presence through strategic alliances with well-established companies that share the same vision for quality and excellence. Our strategic alliance with Ethiopian Airlines goes beyond this announcement, as it provides greater opportunities for us to jointly collaborate and develop mutually beneficial activities across the entire African continent.”
Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive officer, Tewolde GebreMariam, said “This Strategic Alliance with Sanad Aerotech is consistent with Ethiopian Airlines vision of making its MRO facility the leading MRO service provider in Africa through strategic partnerships with OEMs and selected international MRO Service Providers.”
By adding that, ET’s MRO facility is ready to provide cost effective and efficient overhaul services with standard turnaround time (TAT) to APUs of African Airlines. Ethiopian would like to expand this cooperation with Sanad Aerotech to cover other aircraft components.”
Sanad is wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, provider of air craft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul /MRO/ solution has ambition to elevate its business expansion in Africa provisions of APU and MRO services.
Ethiopian airlines have one of the leading MRO centers in the continent that provide maintenance service to other Africa countries. Since 1968 Ethiopian MRO service performs the base and line maintenance under the approval of Ethiopian civil aviation authority.
The signing ceremony was held at sky light hotel on February 5, 2020, on the event of the African aviation 2020 which compromise the 29th annual African aviation MRO Africa and the 8th African aviation training conference and exhibition which stays until February 6.
The three day event, has provided a unique platform for the key players to explore a wide scope of opportunity for the development of MRO partnership and joint ventures in Africa and solutions for MRO challenges facing the African aviation. The 2020 Africa MRO has gather more than 40 African airlines, worlds leading MRO service providers and suppliers, long-term supporters of MRO Africa are seeking to expand their relationships with air lines and air craft, both turboprops and jetliners.
In the early days, the focus of MRO Africa was primarily on ensuring that Africa’s fleet of mostly ageing commercial aircraft was properly maintained to ensure air safety. The continent lagged behind the rest of the world in terms of fleet modernization. In recent times, the fleets of many African airlines have been completely transformed with the acquisition of sophisticated modern aircraft, both turboprops and jetliners.
African aviation was launched 30 years ago with the aim of promoting aviation development throughout the continent and safe efficient and affordable air transport industry in Africa would be a vital catalyst for the economic and social transformation of the continent.