Ethiopian Join Forces to Set up Aircraft Engine Maintenance Center in Africa
ADDIS ABEBA – Sanad Aerotech, the leading provider of aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) solutions, has elevated its business expansion ambitions in Africa by signing a landmark agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, the continent’s fastest-growing airline.
Signed at MRO Africa, the agreement paves the way for Sanad, wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), and Ethiopian Airlines to collaborate and maximize untapped MRO business opportunities in the region.
The initial phase of the agreement will see Sanad and Ethiopian Airlines 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.
This will pave the way for future collaboration in the provision of APU MRO services to other African airlines, according to Ethiopian.
The strategic alliance also has future aspirations to expand capabilities to include aircraft components and aircraft engine MRO.
The latest agreement between Sanad and Ethiopian Airlines builds on a 2018 MOU to collaborate on APU capabilities, among others.
“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,” said Mansoor Janahi, Sanad Aerotech CEO.
“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,” he added.
Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Tewolde GebreMariam, on his part said the strategic alliance with Sanad is consistent with Ethiopian Airlines’ vision of making its MRO facility the leading MRO service provider in Africa.
This is “through strategic partnerships with OEMs and selected international MRO Service Providers. Our MRO facility is ready to provide cost-effective and efficient overhaul services with standard turnaround time (TAT) to APUs of African Airlines”, said Tewolde.
“Ethiopian would like to expand this cooperation with Sanad Aerotech to cover other aircraft components,” he added.
Sanad has built strategic relationships with leading international OEMs including Rolls-Royce, General Electric (GE), and International Aero Engines (IAE), which have enabled Sanad to deliver competitive aircraft engine MRO expertise throughout a variety of engine maintenance service programs across multiple engine platforms.
