Page 34 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2017 Online Magazine

FEATURE MIDDLE EAST MRO

from carbon fiber-reinforced plastics that 30 customers in the Middle East. Its top five within the region, for sale and leaseback of
are integral to large aircraft, the researchers customers in the region are: Saudia Airlines, high-value engines such as GEnx and GE90.
came up with a fast and non-destructive Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Saudi Aramco and MTU Maintenance is presently one of only
way to test and the prototype solution can Nesma Airlines in Egypt. It also counts as two maintenance shops worldwide that have
complete the detection process for a variety customers, several business jet operators, as been certified to perform maintenance for
of defects in few seconds, providing real- well as lessors such as Kuwait based Aviation the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines
time data and images that allow for further Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO), powering the A320neo. In that context, we
inspection of the structure. The technique which joined its customer base last year. have been performing work on Middle East
will be used and tested on the production Commenting on the trends that he observes, engines on behalf of and as part of Pratt &
lines of Strata’s factories in Al Ain. related to engine MRO Ben-Kraiem says, Whitney’s MRO network, says Ben-Kraiem.
“Within the region, we are seeing an increased Independent MRO providers, such as
Engine MRO demand for our mature engine solutions: we Abu Dhabi based TS&S Aerospace (owned
MTU Maintenance is the world’s largest offer both thrust solutions as alternative to by Mubadala), are attracting work from
independent engine MRO provider and has its engine MRO, as well as cost-effective MRO outside the region. The company recently
technical and sales representatives present alternatives. Also, we offer owners of aging bagged a contract from SriLankan Airline
in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and a dedicated asset specific solutions to maximize engine becoming the first independent MRO
sales team for the region at the MTU usage and value towards end-of-life.” provider to overhaul the Rolls Royce Trent
Maintenance facility in Hannover, Germany. “The growing popularity of such 700 engine. “The win demonstrates TS&S’s
“The entire Middle East Region is key to us solutions comes together with the fast Aerospace’s ever-growing capabilities as
as some of our largest customers are based introduction of newer generation fleets a world class MRO provider and offers
here. Saudi Arabia is very important to us, – the asset owning seeking a smooth and opportunities for independent lessors,
as is Egypt and Jordan. Furthermore, we are attractive phase-out solution for their older owners and operators to maintain Trent
noticing that the Iranian market is opening fleets. With our background as MRO, lessor 700 engines. As we build and strengthen
gradually and we are in contact with airlines and asset manager, we customize the best our capabilities in Abu Dhabi, we are also
in the country,” Sami Ben-Kraiem, Senior solution for each and every customer need,” supporting the development of the Emirate
Director Sales Middle East told MRO via he concludes. There is also a growing trend as a key aviation hub in the region and
email. MTU Maintenance currently has about towards leasing and financing activities internationally,” says Abdul Khaliq Saeed,
34 MAINTENANCE REPAIR OVERHAUL JANUARY / MARCH 2017 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA