MRO & Manufacturing
GE Aerospace Expands Dubai South Facility with 50 Million Investment
GE Aerospace invests over 50 million USD to expand its Dubai South On Wing Support facility, enhancing engine maintenance and training capabilities by 2027.
In a significant move underscoring the Middle East’s growing prominence in the global aviation landscape, GE Aerospace has announced a major expansion of its operations in Dubai South. The company is set to invest over $50 million in a new, state-of-the-art On Wing Support (OWS) facility located within the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH). This development, revealed on the first day of the 2025 Dubai Airshow, signals a deep commitment to the region and its Airlines partners.
The new facility is not just an expansion; it’s a strategic repositioning to meet the surging demand for advanced engine maintenance. As modern aircraft fleets grow, so does the need for efficient service solutions. This built-to-suit center is designed to primarily support the CFM LEAP engine family, which powers many of the world’s most popular narrow-body aircraft. Furthermore, it strategically prepares GE Aerospace for the entry into service of the formidable GE9X engine, the exclusive powerplant for the next-generation Boeing 777X.
This Investments represents a pivotal moment for both GE Aerospace and Dubai’s aviation ecosystem. By quadrupling its current footprint, the company is enhancing its global service capabilities while simultaneously reinforcing MBRAH’s status as a premier aerospace hub. The project highlights a future-forward vision, integrating advanced maintenance with unprecedented training and development opportunities, setting a new benchmark for the industry.
The scale of GE Aerospace’s new venture is substantial. The investment, valued at over $50 million, covers the construction of the facility, a lease commitment spanning more than a decade, and the acquisition of new tooling and advanced capabilities. This financial commitment is a clear indicator of the long-term strategic importance of the Dubai hub within GE’s global network.
The new On Wing Support center will occupy an impressive 120,000 square feet, a massive increase from the current 29,000-square-foot facility. This fourfold expansion in size is a direct response to projected service demands and allows for a significant increase in operational capacity. The larger footprint will enable more efficient workflows, accommodate more simultaneous engine services, and provide the necessary space for new technologies and equipment.
The project is on a clear and defined timeline. Following a groundbreaking ceremony during the Dubai Airshow week, construction is scheduled to commence in December 2025. The facility is expected to be fully operational and open its doors in the first quarter of 2027. This schedule ensures that the enhanced capabilities will be available to support the region’s airlines as their fleets of LEAP- and GE9X-powered aircraft continue to grow.
By expanding its physical presence so dramatically, GE Aerospace is creating a robust center of gravity for engine services in the region. This hub will not only serve local carriers but will also act as a critical support node for international airlines operating routes through the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, reducing turnaround times and improving fleet availability.
“This investment underscores GE Aerospace’s unwavering commitment to supporting our customers in the Middle East and beyond. As the demand for LEAP engine services continues to grow, this facility will enable us to deliver world-class maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities on a larger scale, while positioning us to support the future entry into service of the GE9X engine.” – Farah Borges, VP Assembly, Test & MRO for GE Aerospace
While the core function of the facility is On Wing Support, its scope extends far beyond traditional maintenance. It is designed to be a dynamic hub for field deployments and the development of advanced MRO technologies. This forward-looking approach ensures that the center will remain at the cutting edge of aerospace service and support for years to come. A groundbreaking feature of the new facility is the inclusion of a dedicated MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) Training center. In a first for GE’s On Wing Support network, this integrated training wing will serve both internal GE teams and its airline customers. This initiative will foster a new generation of highly skilled technicians, enhancing the talent pool within the UAE and the broader region and ensuring that maintenance standards remain world-class.
The establishment of this training academy within the OWS facility creates a powerful synergy. Technicians can receive hands-on training with the latest engine technologies and immediately apply their skills in a real-world environment. This model not only accelerates learning but also promotes a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, directly benefiting the airlines that rely on these critical services.
The decision to make such a significant investment in Dubai is rooted in a clear understanding of current and future aviation trends. The Middle-East is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, with its carriers operating large fleets of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. Placing a larger, more capable service center in the heart of this region is a logical and necessary step.
The primary driver for this expansion is the remarkable success of the CFM LEAP engine. As the powerplant for the Airbus A320neo family, Boeing 737 MAX, and COMAC C919, the LEAP engine is one of the most in-demand jet engines in modern aviation. GE’s On Wing Support network already performs approximately 35% of all LEAP overhaul shop visits globally, and this new facility will be crucial in managing the growing volume of service needs.
Looking to the horizon, the facility is also being built to support the GE9X, the world’s most powerful commercial jet engine. As the exclusive engine for the Boeing 777X family, the GE9X will power the next generation of long-haul aircraft. A significant number of 777X orders have come from Middle Eastern carriers, making a local, high-capacity service center essential for supporting these flagship fleets from day one of their operation.
This dual-engine focus ensures the facility’s relevance for decades to come. It addresses the immediate needs of the narrow-body market, which forms the backbone of regional and medium-haul travel, while simultaneously preparing for the future of wide-body, long-haul aviation. This proactive approach provides airlines with the confidence that their most advanced assets will be fully supported.
The choice of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub is strategically vital. MBRAH is a key component of Dubai South, the 145-square-kilometer city being built around Al Maktoum International Airport, which is poised to become the world’s largest. By establishing a major presence here, GE Aerospace is embedding itself in the nerve center of the region’s future aviation infrastructure.
GE’s expansion serves as a powerful endorsement of Dubai’s vision to create a comprehensive, world-class aerospace ecosystem. The presence of a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) like GE adds significant weight to MBRAH’s portfolio, attracting further investment and talent to the hub. It creates a virtuous cycle where world-class infrastructure attracts world-class companies, which in turn enhances the hub’s capabilities and reputation. This symbiotic relationship benefits all parties. GE gains a strategic base in a pro-business environment with unparalleled logistical advantages, while MBRAH strengthens its position as the preferred destination for leading aerospace and aviation firms. The collaboration is a testament to a shared vision for the future of flight.
“We are delighted to welcome GE Aerospace’s new facility to Dubai South, further strengthening our position as a leading global hub for aviation and aerospace innovation…GE Aerospace’s expansion is a testament to the strategic importance of the Middle East region and the confidence in MBRAH as a key enabler for the future of aviation.” – Tahnoon Saif, Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub
In summary, GE Aerospace’s $50 million investment in its new Dubai South facility is more than a simple expansion. It is a multifaceted strategic initiative that addresses the present, prepares for the future, and reinforces the company’s commitment to its customers. By quadrupling its footprint and integrating advanced training capabilities, GE is building a facility designed to meet the complex demands of next-generation engine technology like the CFM LEAP and GE9X.
The broader implications of this move are significant. It solidifies Dubai’s role as a critical node in the global aerospace service network and highlights the industry’s shift towards creating integrated ecosystems where maintenance, training, and innovation coexist. As GE also showcases future-focused concepts like its CFM RISE open fan engine design, this facility can be seen as a foundational piece in supporting a more sustainable and efficient future for aviation, right from the heart of one of its most dynamic regions.
Question: What is the total investment in the new GE Aerospace facility? Question: Where will the new facility be located? Question: What engines will the new facility primarily service? Question: When is the new facility expected to be completed?
A Deeper Dive into the State-of-the-Art Facility
Quadrupling Down: Scale and Timeline
More Than Maintenance: A Hub for Innovation and Training
The Strategic Blueprint: Why Dubai, Why Now?
Powering the Future Fleet: LEAP and GE9X Engines
Dubai’s Ascent as a Global Aerospace Capital
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Aerospace in the Middle East
FAQ
Answer: The investment is over $50 million, which includes the facility build, a long-term lease, and new tooling and capabilities.
Answer: The facility will be located in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) in Dubai South.
Answer: It will primarily provide On Wing Support for the CFM LEAP engine family and the upcoming GE9X engine.
Answer: Construction is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.
Sources
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
MRO & Manufacturing
Satair and Joramco Extend 25-Year Partnership at MRO Middle East 2026
Satair and Joramco renew their 25-year supply agreement at MRO Middle East 2026, supporting Joramco’s maintenance operations and new contracts.
This article is based on an official press release from Satair and additional industry reporting regarding MRO Middle East 2026.
At the MRO Middle East 2026 exhibition in Dubai, Satair, an Airbus Services company, and Joramco (Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Limited) officially announced the renewal of their long-standing Consumables and Expendables Supply Agreement. The deal marks the continuation of a strategic partnership that has spanned more than a quarter of a century, reinforcing the critical role of integrated supply chains in the growing Middle Eastern aviation maintenance sector.
According to the announcement, the renewed agreement is designed to secure a consistent flow of essential spare parts for Joramco’s base maintenance operations in Amman, Jordan. By locking in this supply chain solution, Joramco aims to minimize “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG) risks and reduce the complexity of material management for its expanding customer base.
The partnership between Satair and Joramco is one of the most enduring in the region. For over 25 years, Satair has served as a primary provider of consumables and expendables, high-volume, low-cost parts essential for routine maintenance, to the Jordan-based MRO provider.
In the official release, the companies highlighted the operational benefits of the extension. The agreement allows Joramco to leverage Satair’s global distribution network, ensuring that parts are available precisely when needed. This “just-in-time” capability is vital for MROs (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul providers) striving to offer competitive turnaround times to airlines.
A primary focus of the renewal is the mitigation of supply chain disruptions. By outsourcing the management of consumables to Satair, Joramco can focus its internal resources on heavy maintenance and engineering tasks rather than logistics. The agreement reportedly covers a comprehensive range of Airbus and Boeing fleet requirements, aligning with Joramco’s diverse capabilities.
“This continued partnership with Satair ensures we have the right parts at the right time, allowing us to deliver superior turnaround times to our global customers.”
, Statement attributed to Joramco leadership regarding the renewal
The renewal comes amidst a flurry of activity at MRO Middle East 2026, where both companies have announced significant independent expansions. The event, held on February 4–5, 2026, has served as a platform for major industry shifts in the region. According to industry reporting from the event, Joramco has also secured a major five-year heavy maintenance agreement with the German leisure carrier Condor. This deal will see Joramco performing base maintenance on Condor’s entire Airbus fleet, including the A320ceo, A320neo, and A330neo. Additionally, Joramco celebrated the first graduates of its Structured On-the-Job Training (SOJT) program, a move aimed at addressing the global shortage of skilled aviation technicians.
Simultaneously, Satair has expanded its footprint in the sustainability sector. Reports from the event indicate Satair signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GAMECO (Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co.) to enter the Used Serviceable Material (USM) market, addressing the rising demand for cost-effective and sustainable parts solutions.
The renewal of the Satair-Joramco agreement highlights a critical trend in the post-2025 aviation landscape: the prioritization of supply chain resilience. In an era where global parts shortages have frequently grounded fleets, MRO providers are increasingly moving toward long-term, integrated agreements with major distributors rather than relying on spot-market purchasing.
Furthermore, the Middle East’s trajectory as a global MRO hub is evident in these announcements. Joramco’s ability to secure European contracts like the Condor deal, backed by a robust supply chain from Satair, suggests that regional players are successfully competing on a global scale by combining geographic advantages with high-grade logistical reliability.
Satair and Joramco Extend 25-Year Supply Chain Partnership at MRO Middle East 2026
Strengthening a Quarter-Century Alliance
Operational Efficiency and AOG Reduction
Broader Context: MRO Middle East 2026 Developments
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Photo Credit: Satair
MRO & Manufacturing
Joramco Renews Maintenance Agreement with mas Cargo Airline for 2026
Joramco extends its maintenance contract with Mexican cargo airline mas for heavy checks on Airbus A330 freighters throughout 2026 at its Amman facility.
This article is based on an official press release from Joramco.
Joramco, the Amman-based aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility and engineering arm of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), has officially announced the renewal of its maintenance agreement with mas (formerly MasAir), a prominent Mexican cargo airline. The agreement was finalized and signed during the MRO Middle East 2026 exhibition in Dubai, marking a continuation of the strategic partnership between the two entities.
Under the terms of the renewed contract, Joramco will perform heavy base maintenance checks on the mas fleet of Airbus A330 freighters. The work is scheduled to take place throughout 2026 at Joramco’s facility at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. This announcement underscores the MRO provider’s increasing traction in the global cargo sector and its ability to secure recurring business from international carriers outside its traditional regional stronghold.
According to the company’s announcement, the new deal focuses specifically on heavy base maintenance, often referred to as C-checks, for the carrier’s Airbus A330 fleet. These checks are critical for ensuring the continued airworthiness and operational reliability of the freighter aircraft, which are essential to mas’s global logistics network.
This renewal follows a successful initial collaboration established relatively recently. Joramco and mas first formalized their partnerships in October 2025 at the MRO Europe exhibition in London. That initial agreement covered maintenance checks that began in December 2025. The rapid renewal, signed just four months later, suggests a successful execution of the initial checks and a deepening of the business relationship.
In a statement regarding the renewal, Joramco’s leadership highlighted the significance of the repeat business.
“We are pleased to welcome more aircraft from mas at Joramco. This agreement reaffirms Joramco’s position as a trusted Global MRO provider of choice.”
, Adam Voss, CEO of Joramco
The agreement with mas aligns with Joramco’s broader strategy to expand its global footprint. By securing a renewal with a Latin American carrier, the Jordan-based MRO is demonstrating its competitiveness on a global scale, attracting airframes from the Americas to the Middle-East for heavy maintenance. The timing of this renewal is notable within the wider context of the MRO industry’s capacity constraints. In late 2025, Joramco inaugurated “Hangar 7,” a significant infrastructure expansion that reportedly increased its capacity to 22 parallel maintenance lines. This expansion appears to be paying dividends, allowing the facility to accommodate the “more aircraft” referenced by CEO Adam Voss.
Furthermore, the cargo market remains a demanding sector requiring high asset utilization. For a specialized Cargo-Aircraft airline like mas, which operates a modernizing fleet of Airbus A330 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) aircraft, securing reliable MRO slots is a strategic priority. The quick transition from an initial contract in late 2025 to a full-year renewal for 2026 indicates that Joramco has successfully met the technical and turnaround time requirements demanded by the cargo carrier.
Joramco: A subsidiary of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), Joramco has operated for over 60 years. Based in Amman, Jordan, it provides airframe maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer aircraft.
mas: Headquartered in Mexico City, mas (formerly MasAir) is a specialized cargo airline operating scheduled and charter freight services across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The airline has been actively expanding its capacity with Airbus A330 freighters to support its international network.
Sources:
Joramco Extends Maintenance Partnership with mas Cargo Airline for 2026
Scope of the Renewed Agreement
Strategic Context and Capacity Expansion
AirPro News Analysis
About the Companies
Photo Credit: Joramco
MRO & Manufacturing
Liebherr and Röder Expand MRO for Embraer E-Jet Landing Gear
Liebherr-Aerospace and Röder Präzision deepen cooperation to overhaul main landing gear for Embraer E-Jet E1 family, enhancing capacity and reducing turnaround times.
This article is based on an official press release from Liebherr-Aerospace.
Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH and Röder Präzision GmbH have officially announced a significant expansion of their MRO cooperation. According to a joint statement released in early February 2026, the new agreement tasks Röder Präzision with the overhaul of structural components for the main landing gear of the Embraer E-Jet E1 family. This move builds upon a pre-existing partnership that was previously limited to nose landing gear components.
The deepened collaboration comes as the global aviation industry faces rising demand for maintenance capacity. By integrating Röder Präzision’s Egelsbach facility into the supply chain for main landing gear structures, Liebherr aims to increase industrial capacity and reduce turnaround times (TAT) for operators of the E170, E175, E190, and E195 aircraft. The agreement is effective immediately, with operations expected to scale up throughout 2026.
As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the E-Jet landing gear system, Liebherr-Aerospace retains authority over the final product, while leveraging Röder’s specialized capabilities to handle the volume of structural repairs required by the aging global fleet.
The agreement establishes a clear division of responsibilities designed to optimize the overhaul process. While Röder Präzision takes on the industrial heavy lifting for individual components, Liebherr maintains control over the critical airworthiness certification and system integration.
Liebherr’s facility in Lindenberg remains the center of competence for the program. The OEM is responsible for the “top-level” processes, which include:
Röder Präzision, an established MRO provider, will handle the detailed industrial overhaul of the structural parts. Their scope includes:
According to the announcement, Röder has invested in expanded machinery and specific employee qualification programs to meet the technical demands of the main landing gear, which involves larger and more complex components than the nose gear they previously handled.
The timing of this agreement is driven by the lifecycle of the Embraer E-Jet E1 fleet. The aircraft family, which entered service in the mid-2000s, is currently experiencing a “bow wave” of heavy maintenance requirements.
Landing gear overhaul intervals for the E-Jet are typically set at 10 years or 20,000 flight cycles for the E190/195, and 12 years or 30,000 flight cycles for the E170/175. With a significant portion of the global fleet reaching these milestones simultaneously, the demand for overhaul slots has surged. By utilizing a domestic German supply chain, Liebherr intends to minimize logistics costs and shipping times, offering a faster alternative to non-European vendors. “This cooperation is a win-win situation. We are covering global needs that are sure to arise in the near future. At the same time, we can offer our customers greater capacities and faster turnaround times thanks to short delivery routes.”
— Gerd Heinzelmann, Managing Director, Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
Bastian Heberer, CEO of the Röder Group, emphasized that the deal is built on a foundation of trust established during their previous work on nose landing gear.
“We are very pleased to be able to deepen the long-standing, trust-based partnership with Liebherr with this agreement. With our targeted investments in machinery and the qualification of our employees, we are a reliable partner for Liebherr.”
— Bastian Heberer, CEO, Röder Group
This agreement highlights a growing trend in the MRO sector where OEMs are increasingly relying on trusted third-party providers to manage capacity constraints. While OEMs like Liebherr hold the intellectual property and certification authority, the sheer volume of mature fleets, like the E-Jet E1, requires more industrial throughput than many OEMs can manage alone without expanding their own physical footprint.
By outsourcing the component-level repair work to Röder while keeping the high-value assembly and certification in-house, Liebherr effectively creates a “hybrid” MRO model. This allows them to scale capacity rapidly in response to the current market surge without bearing the full capital expenditure of building new component repair shops. For operators, the promise of a “domestic solution” within Germany suggests a focus on supply chain resilience, reducing the risk of delays associated with cross-border logistics.
What aircraft are covered by this agreement? When does the new cooperation begin? Does Röder Präzision certify the landing gear? Sources: Liebherr-Aerospace
Liebherr-Aerospace and Röder Präzision Expand Partnership for Embraer E-Jet Landing Gear Overhaul
Operational Division of Labor
Liebherr-Aerospace (Lindenberg)
Röder Präzision (Egelsbach)
Strategic Context: The E-Jet “Overhaul Wave”
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The agreement covers the Embraer E-Jet E1 family, which includes the E170, E175, E190, and E195 models.
The cooperation is effective immediately, with the volume of overhaul work expected to scale up successively throughout 2026.
No. Röder performs the overhaul of structural components, but Liebherr-Aerospace retains responsibility for final testing and airworthiness certification.
Photo Credit: Liebherr
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