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GE Aerospace has announced a $10m investment in its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in the Middle East, aiming to expand capacity and enhance operational efficiency as regional airlines scale up growth plans.
The investment, spanning 2024 and 2025, will support the company’s On Wing Support (OWS) facilities in Dubai, UAE, and Doha, Qatar, funding new tooling and equipment, infrastructure upgrades, and expanded training programmes.
The company has been working with commercial airlines in the Middle East for more than 40 years and today supports nearly 30 airlines with a combined fleet of more than 1,400 engines.
Its regional presence includes the On Wing Support facilities in Dubai and Doha, the Middle East Technology Center (MTC) in Dubai, and partner MRO facilities.
GE Aerospace facilities to see headcount rise
The facilities will also see a planned 30 per cent increase in headcount, alongside funding to explore additional regional investment opportunities.
“Airlines in the region have ambitious growth plans that depend on keeping engines on wing and operating efficiently,” said Aziz Koleilat, president and CEO, Middle East, Türkiye, and CIS for GE Aerospace. “Expanding our MRO capacity means we can work on more engines, and there is more we can do to those engines. It is part of our commitment to meeting our local customers’ needs and expectations during a critical period for the industry.”
The investment will enable the OWS facilities to perform additional quick-turn maintenance closer to airlines’ operating hubs, reducing downtime and increasing flexibility. The sites will now be able to carry out expanded work scopes on CFM LEAP* engines, including durability improvements, module-level disassembly, and hot-section repairs.
Training is also a key focus of the investment. By adding team members and introducing new training modules, including a fully equipped training engine, the company aims to accelerate workforce development and certification.
“This investment reflects our commitment to deliver for our customers in the Middle East. As supply chain challenges continue to impact airlines globally, we are moving proactively to grow our capabilities to support an increase in capacity. By committing these resources, we can ultimately deliver greater value,” said Alex Henderson, global on-wing support leader for GE Aerospace.
The move is part of the company’s global $1bn MRO expansion plan, announced in 2024, designed to enhance service capacity across GE Aerospace and CFM* engines.
GE Aerospace’s FLIGHT DECK lean operating model will be leveraged to drive safety, quality, and efficiency improvements across the facilities. The approach integrates tools such as a safety management system and a quality management system to optimise operations.
With more than 20 airlines operating over 750 LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines in the Middle East, Türkiye, and CIS region, the investment also prepares the company’s facilities to support the arrival of the GE9X engine, which will power the Boeing 777X.
The Middle East remains the largest global market for GE9X orders.
* CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. LEAP is a registered trademark of CFM.
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