Sanad, a prominent UAE-based engine maintenance company, has officially opened its Leap Engine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Center in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone as the first facility in the Middle East specializing in CFM International Leap 1A and 1B engines. This strategic move comes on the heels of an 11-year agreement with GE Aerospace and Safran (EPA:SAF) Aircraft Engines, which was forged at the Paris Air Show back in June.
The new MRO center is poised to bolster Sanad's servicing capabilities significantly. According to Mansoor Janahi, CEO of Sanad Group, the facility is designed to handle annual servicing for up to 200 engines. This expansion is timely, considering Aviation Week's 2023 Commercial Fleet and MRO Forecast indicates a surge in Leap engine operations within the Middle East. The forecast projects an increase from the current count of 426 Leap engines to nearly 2,000 by the year 2032. This upswing in engine utilization is expected to drive MRO spending in the region to an estimated $106.8 billion over the next decade.
Flydubai has already benefited from the new center, with its COO Mick Hills underscoring the importance of local MRO services. The airline's commitment to operational efficiency aligns with regional sustainability initiatives, as servicing engines locally reduces the need for overseas maintenance.
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