Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) announced the launchof the largest state-of-the-art facilities in the Middle East for civil and military technical aviation serviceslocated at the northeast of King Abdul-Aziz Airport in Jeddah.
The launching of the New MRO facility was announced in a press conference held on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow, one of the largest and most successful airshows in the world.
The new facility incorporates a new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility (MRO) in Saudi Arabia covering an average area of 1 million sq. meters and introduces the latest technology combined with enviable track record of aviation engineering backed up by an experience of more than 55 years and the highly qualified Saudi workforce.
Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Director General, Saudia, chairman of SAEI’s Board of Directors, said”Saudi Arabia is well-equipped to capture the increasing demand for aviation-related services from this market, and this state-of-the-art facility will definitely put the Kingdom on the global aerospace and aviation industries Map, and support itin achieving the diversification goals by driving the growth of the civil and military aerospace industry through ensuring the transfer of state-of-the-art technology and know-how in addition tocreating thousands of jobs for Saudis.”
The SR2.87 billion MRO Facility was developed by a joint venture lead byTurkey’s TAV and including AlHabtoor Leighton Group (HLG), and Al Rajhi, and planned for completion by the end of 2016 placing SAEI in the top ranks of MROs worldwide and making it the largest in the region with a wide range of capabilities for aircraft, engines and component maintenance.
“We are very excited for this new facility as it is the result of almost 56 years of operating experience across 28 stations in Saudi Arabiaand 25 international stations manned by SAEI personnel, and it entitles us to be the leading provider of high quality maintenance, repair, overhaul, and engineering services for aircraft, engines and components in the MiddleEast.” Commented Eng. Nader Khalawi, CEO, SAEI
With 11 aircraft hangars, 28 aircraft component shops, modern warehouses, ground support equipment maintenance center and a design and manufacturing center, the new facility will provide highest quality maintenance, repair, overhaul, engineering and reliability services for civil and military aircraft, and components and offering added value services, to be a one stop shop for all SAEI customers in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region.
Eng. Khalawi concluded, “With over than 1100 exhibitors, gathering aerospace professionals across all areas of the industry, the Dubai Airshow is the ideal platform to launch this state-of-the-art facility.”