Dubai - MENA Herald: Dubai South and GE Aviation (NYSE: GE) have inked a deal to set up MRO operations at the Aviation District Aerospace Supply Chain Facility. The leading global provider of commercial and military jet engines, as well as avionics and mechanical systems, GE Aviation, GE’s aviation business, has an extensive global service network to support these products. The company is a crucial addition to fulfilling Dubai South’s bid to create a comprehensive aviation ecosystem, designed to service the aerospace industry.
The Aerospace Supply Chain facility at Dubai South’s Aviation District is also in line with the focus of the Dubai Industrial Strategy, launched last June, by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to make Dubai the aviation capital of the world and contributes to raising the industrial value of this growing sector.
Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, said: “We are delighted to welcome GE as part of the swiftly growing aerospace supply chain at Dubai South. With global industry leaders, such as GE, deciding to set up operations we are steps closer in fulfilling our strategic vision of building an ecosystem dedicated to the aviation industry.
“A pioneering model that leverages its proximity to Al Maktoum International airport, the Aviation District is creating a comprehensive platform that will bring together advanced aerospace products and MRO service innovation through partnerships with leading aerospace companies, as well as educational and training academies, with the aim of capturing new opportunities and demonstrating the strategic viability of Dubai South,” added Al Zaffin.
Dr. Dalya Al Muthanna, President & CEO, GE Gulf said: “The opening of this facility is a milestone for both GE Aviation, as well the Gulf region. The high technology maintenance work that will be performed at the new facility shows that the Middle East can truly be a hub for Aviation activity. Historically, we have serviced our customers including Emirates and Etihad on-site at their locations. We will continue to do this as we always have; this facility is about global growth, and bringing engines from outside the UAE into the country for repair.”
The new facility will serve as a maintenance and repair center for GE Aviation’s On Wing Support division. The facility will specialize in “Quick Turns” which are light to medium scale workscopes, where the goal is to fix a specific technical issue rather than a heavy shop visit where the engine is torn down to the piece part level. The center will service all GE/CFM engine models, with a specific focus on the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. These are brand new engines that will be installed on the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737MAX aircraft. The facility will also serve as a storage location for spare engines, strategically placed to deploy to customers in the MENAT region.
As the world’s first master-planned airport city, Dubai South is concentrating on building state-of-the-art infrastructure around the Al Maktoum International, thus creating a thriving aviation ecosystem. The Aviation District provides a specialized business environment that meets all the needs of the aviation industry. Spanning an area of seven square kilometers, the district is the new permanent home of the Dubai Airshow and caters to all practical aspects of private and commercial aviation.
