MRO & Manufacturing
GE Aerospace and Gulf Helicopters Sign MENA Engine Support Deal
Gulf Helicopters partners with GE Aerospace for MRO services on CT7-2E1 engines, enhancing offshore fleet reliability in MENA.
In a significant move for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) aviation sector, Gulf Helicopters Company (GHC) and GE Aerospace have formalized a TrueChoiceâ„¢ maintenance agreement. Announced at the Dubai Air Show, this partnership marks the first of its kind for GE’s helicopter engine support services in the region. The deal centers on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of six GE CT7-2E1 engines, which power GHC’s fleet of three Leonardo AW189 super-medium helicopters. This collaboration is more than a simple service contract, it represents a strategic shift towards a predictive and managed maintenance model, ensuring maximum reliability for critical offshore energy operations.
The agreement underscores a growing trend where operators prioritize long-term, OEM-backed service solutions to de-risk their operations and guarantee fleet availability. For Gulf Helicopters, the sole helicopter provider in Qatar and a key player in the global oil and gas industry, this partnership is a direct investment in operational excellence. By leveraging GE Aerospace’s deep technical expertise and extensive data analytics, GHC aims to enhance the safety, reliability, and mission readiness of its fleet, which performs essential long-range transport for the energy sector. The deal not only strengthens GHC’s capabilities but also sets a new benchmark for helicopter MRO in the MENA region.
The core of this agreement is the TrueChoiceâ„¢ program, GE’s suite of customizable engine service offerings. This model moves away from a one-size-fits-all approach, allowing operators like GHC to tailor maintenance plans to their specific operational and financial needs. The “Flight Hour” option, central to this deal, enables GHC to pay a predictable rate per hour of engine operation. In return, GE Aerospace provides comprehensive MRO services, including crucial access to a spare-engine pool. This structure effectively transfers the operational and financial risks associated with engine maintenance from the operator to the manufacturer, minimizing downtime and ensuring GHC’s AW189 fleet remains mission-ready.
This partnership is particularly vital given GHC’s role in the demanding offshore oil and gas industry. The Leonardo AW189 helicopters are workhorses in this sector, designed for long-range missions in harsh maritime environments. The reliability of their GE CT7-2E1 engines is paramount. These engines are part of a family that has logged over 100 million flight hours, known for their durability, fuel efficiency, and competitive maintenance costs. By entrusting their upkeep to the OEM, GHC ensures the highest standards of engine integrity and flight safety are maintained, directly benefiting their energy sector clients who depend on uninterrupted service.
The timing and location of the announcement at the Dubai Air Show are no coincidence. It highlights the increasing strategic importance of the MENA region’s aviation market, particularly in specialized MRO services. The regional helicopter MRO market is on a growth trajectory, projected to expand significantly by 2030, driven by the needs of the energy, emergency services, and military sectors. This agreement positions both GE Aerospace and GHC at the forefront of this evolution, establishing a crucial foothold for GE’s premier service offerings in a competitive landscape and potentially influencing other regional operators to adopt similar OEM-backed maintenance philosophies.
“Signing this agreement at the Dubai Air Show underscores our deliberate focus on safety, reliability, and mission readiness for our clients in the energy sector. Our choice of GE Aerospace’s TrueChoice program is a direct investment in the operational excellence of our fleet.” – Capt. Mohd Al Hilal, Gulf Helicopters Company.
The Leonardo AW189 is a modern “super-medium” twin-engine helicopter, a key asset for offshore transport. Capable of seating up to 19 passengers, its design is optimized for the rigorous demands of the energy industry. A critical safety feature is its main gearbox’s 50-minute “run-dry” capability, which surpasses the 30-minute regulatory requirement, providing an extra margin of safety for over-water flights. The choice of the GE CT7-2E1 powerplant for these aircraft is a testament to the engine’s proven performance in challenging conditions.
For GE Aerospace, this agreement is a strategic victory. It establishes the first TrueChoiceâ„¢ partnership for helicopter engines in the MENA region, opening the door for future collaborations. As Salim Mousallam, Regional Vice-President at GE Aerospace, noted, the deal “sets the foundation for a new level of engine maintenance and support for helicopter operators in the MENA region.” It reinforces GE’s commitment to the Middle East and showcases its ability to deliver tailored, high-value services that meet the evolving needs of its customers.
The broader market context reveals a clear industry shift. Operators are increasingly moving towards long-term service agreements that offer cost predictability and guaranteed performance. The complexity of modern aircraft engines and the high stakes of operations, especially in the oil and gas sector, make OEM-led maintenance an attractive proposition. GHC’s adoption of this model is likely to be noted by competitors, potentially accelerating the trend across the region and solidifying the role of OEMs as long-term partners in fleet management. The TrueChoiceâ„¢ agreement between Gulf Helicopters Company and GE Aerospace is more than a business transaction, it’s a strategic alignment that signals a new era for helicopter maintenance in the Middle East and North Africa. By prioritizing a predictive, OEM-backed support model, GHC is enhancing the safety and reliability of its critical offshore operations while gaining financial predictability. This partnership ensures that its fleet of advanced Leonardo AW189 helicopters will continue to serve the energy sector with maximum availability and performance.
Looking forward, this deal is poised to have a ripple effect across the regional aviation industry. It establishes a new benchmark for MRO services, highlighting the value of deep collaboration between operators and manufacturers. As the MENA helicopter market continues to grow, driven by energy and infrastructure demands, the emphasis on sophisticated, data-driven maintenance solutions will only intensify. This partnership not only strengthens the MRO ecosystem in the Middle East but also reinforces the global trend toward smarter, more reliable, and operationally efficient aviation services.
Question: What is the main purpose of the agreement between Gulf Helicopters Company and GE Aerospace? Question: What is the GE Aerospace TrueChoiceâ„¢ program? Question: Why is this agreement considered a “landmark” deal? Sources: GE Aerospace
GE Aerospace and Gulf Helicopters Ink Landmark Engine Support Deal
A Strategic Partnership for Regional Excellence
The Technical and Market Implications
Conclusion: A New Era for MENA Helicopter Operations
FAQ
Answer: The agreement is for GE Aerospace to provide comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for six CT7-2E1 engines that power GHC’s Leonardo AW189 helicopters under its TrueChoiceâ„¢ program. The goal is to ensure maximum engine availability, reliability, and safety for GHC’s critical offshore operations.
Answer: The TrueChoiceâ„¢ program is a suite of flexible and customizable engine service offerings from GE. It allows operators to tailor maintenance agreements to their specific operational and financial needs, often involving payment on a per-flight-hour basis. This model helps provide predictable costs and transfers maintenance risk to GE.
Answer: It is the first TrueChoiceâ„¢ agreement for helicopter engine support in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This establishes a new level of OEM-backed maintenance services in the area and highlights a strategic shift in how helicopter operators manage their fleet maintenance.
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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