This article is based on an official press release from Joramco.

Joramco Secures Strategic Maintenance Contracts with Air Samarkand and FLYONE Asia

Joramco, the Amman-based maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider and engineering arm of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), has officially announced its expansion into the Central Asian market. During the MRO Middle East 2026 exhibition in Dubai, the company revealed two significant maintenance agreements with Uzbekistan-based carriers: Air Samarkand and FLYONE Asia.

According to the company’s press release, these new partnerships will see Joramco performing heavy maintenance checks on the Airbus A320 fleets for both airlines. The agreements mark a pivotal step in Joramco’s strategy to capture market share in the rapidly growing Central Asian aviation sector, specifically capitalizing on the liberalization and fleet expansion currently underway in Uzbekistan.

Details of the Maintenance Agreements

The contracts, finalized on February 5, 2026, focus on ensuring the operational reliability of narrowbody fleets for two of Uzbekistan’s emerging carriers. Joramco will provide heavy maintenance services at its facility at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. This facility, which recently expanded with the opening of “Hangar 7,” is certified by major international regulators including EASA and the FAA.

Fraser Currie, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer at DAE Engineering, emphasized the strategic importance of these deals in a statement provided by the company.

“These partnerships reflect Joramco’s growing role in supporting emerging aviation markets and demonstrate confidence in our narrowbody capabilities.”

, Fraser Currie, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, DAE Engineering

The scope of work specifically targets the Airbus A320 family, which has become the workhorse for low-cost and regional carriers in the Central Asian region. By securing these contracts, Joramco reinforces its position as a leading independent MRO provider capable of supporting startup airlines that require high-quality maintenance without investing in their own heavy infrastructure.

Profiles of the New Partners

The agreements involve two distinct players in the Uzbekistan aviation market, both of which are expanding their international footprints.

Air Samarkand

Based at Samarkand International Airport (SKD), Air Samarkand is a relatively new entrant, having launched operations in late 2023. The airline operates a mixed fleet of Airbus A330 and A320 aircraft and is part of a broader initiative to establish Samarkand as a major tourism and business hub. According to industry reports, the airline plans to expand its route network significantly into Europe and Asia throughout 2026.

FLYONE Asia

FLYONE Asia is a dedicated low-cost carrier (LCC) based at Tashkent International Airport (TAS). Established in July 2025 following the rebranding of Asia Union Airlines, it operates as an affiliate of the FLYONE Group, which also includes carriers in Moldova and Armenia. The airline is scheduled to launch regular international flights starting in April 2026, serving destinations in Russia, Azerbaijan, Latvia, and Israel.

Market Context: The “Uzbekistan Boom”

These partnerships arrive during a period of aggressive growth for Uzbekistan’s aviation sector. The government’s “Uzbekistan 2030” strategy has set ambitious targets, aiming to increase the national fleet to 180 aircraft and boost annual passenger traffic to 24 million. This is a significant jump from approximately 15 million passengers in 2025.

Recent reforms, including the removal of monopolies and the introduction of “Open Skies” policies at regional airports, have spurred the creation of private airlines such as Air Samarkand and FLYONE Asia. These carriers require reliable MRO partners to maintain airworthiness as they scale up operations to meet government targets.

AirPro News Analysis

The Strategic “Middle Ground” Advantage

Joramco’s success in securing these contracts highlights a geographic and strategic advantage. Amman serves as an ideal “middle ground” for Central Asian carriers. It offers a closer, high-quality alternative to MRO facilities in Western Europe or Southeast Asia, reducing ferry flight times and operational downtime.

Furthermore, the trend of outsourcing heavy maintenance is accelerating among startup airlines. New carriers like Air Samarkand and FLYONE Asia typically prioritize capital expenditure on fleet growth and route expansion rather than building expensive maintenance hangars. As an independent MRO not owned by a rival airline group, Joramco presents a neutral and attractive partner for these emerging airlines. With the Middle East MRO market projected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 4.8% through 2031, we expect to see more Central Asian carriers looking westward to Jordan for their heavy maintenance needs.

Sources

• Joramco Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from Chorus Aviation Inc. and additional financial reporting.

Chorus Aviation to Acquire Kadex Aero Supply in $50 Million Deal

Chorus Aviation Inc. (TSX: CHR) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Kadex Aero Supply Ltd., a prominent Canadian independent distributor of aircraft parts and maintenance services. The transaction, valued at approximately CAD $50 million, marks a significant step in Chorus Aviation’s strategic pivot toward an “asset-light” business model focused on high-margin aviation services.

According to the company’s announcement on February 12, 2026, the acquisitions is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. The deal was made public alongside Chorus’s fourth-quarter 2025 financial results, which highlighted a return to profitability and a 38% increase in dividends.

Transaction Details and Financial Impact

The agreement outlines a total purchase price of approximately $50 million. Chorus Aviation stated that the payment structure includes an upfront cash component of $43 million to be paid at closing. The remaining balance will be paid as contingent consideration over a two-year period, subject to Kadex achieving specific performance targets.

Chorus Aviation confirmed that the transaction will be funded entirely through existing cash on hand, requiring no new external financing. Management expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to both earnings and free cash flow.

Strategic Rationale

This acquisition is designed to bolster Chorus Aviation’s subsidiary, Voyageur Aviation, which specializes in parts provisioning and engineering. By integrating Kadex, Chorus aims to create a “one-stop-shop” for aviation customers, combining Voyageur’s existing capabilities with Kadex’s extensive distribution network.

Key strategic benefits cited in the announcement include:

• Expansion of Aftermarket Services: Strengthening the parts distribution network to serve a broader client base.
• Synergies with Used Serviceable Materials (USM): Kadex’s distribution channels will complement Chorus’s USM business, which sells parts from dismantled aircraft.
• Recurring Revenue: The parts distribution sector typically offers higher margins and more consistent cash flow compared to traditional airline operations.

Profile: Kadex Aero Supply

Founded in 1994 by John Lavery and Ken Blow, Kadex Aero Supply is headquartered in Peterborough, Ontario, with additional facilities in Calgary, Alberta. The company operates as an independent distributor for over 70 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including brands such as Champion Aerospace and Whelen Aerospace Technologies.

According to financial-results data released regarding the deal, Kadex generated approximately $60 million in revenue in 2025. The company employs approximately 50 staff members. The founders, Lavery and Blow, are expected to remain with the company to oversee operations under Chorus Aviation’s ownership.

AirPro News Analysis

The acquisition of Kadex Aero Supply underscores a broader trend in the aviation industry where holding companies are diversifying away from capital-intensive assets like aircraft leasing. By focusing on the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, Chorus Aviation is reducing its exposure to the volatility of passenger travel demand.

Global supply-chain constraints have forced airlines to operate older aircraft for longer periods, significantly increasing the demand for aftermarket parts. In our view, acquiring an established distributor like Kadex allows Chorus to capitalize on this “aging fleet” dynamic immediately, without the long lead times associated with building new supply chain infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the deal expected to close?

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.

How is Chorus Aviation paying for the acquisition?

The $50 million purchase price will be funded entirely through Chorus Aviation’s existing cash on hand.

Will the leadership at Kadex change?

Founders John Lavery and Ken Blow are expected to remain with the company to drive continued growth post-acquisition.

What is the financial outlook for Chorus Aviation?

Alongside this acquisition, Chorus reported a full-year net income of $78.7 million for 2025 and announced a share buyback program, signaling a focus on returning capital to shareholders.

Sources

• Chorus Aviation Press Release
• Kadex Aero Supply

This article is based on an official press release from Tampa International Airport.

Sheltair Aviation Unveils New MRO Hangar at Tampa International Airport

Sheltair Aviation and Tampa International Airport (TPA) officials celebrated the opening of a new hangar facility on Thursday, marking a significant expansion of the airport’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities. Located on the north side of Runway 10-28, the new complex,known as Hangar 4300,adds nearly 60,000 square feet of combined hangar and office space to the airport’s general aviation infrastructure.

The opening ceremony, held on February 12, 2026, highlighted the facility’s role in supporting the region’s growing business aviation sector. According to the airport’s official announcement, the project is designed to attract a dedicated MRO provider while currently offering storage solutions for large-cabin aircraft.

Facility Specifications and Capabilities

The newly completed facility at 4300 W. Tampa Bay Blvd. features 50,880 square feet of hangar space and 8,344 square feet of attached office and shop space. The complex also includes a 50,000-square-foot apron to facilitate aircraft staging, fueling, and maneuvering.

Designed to accommodate modern business jets, the hangar is equipped with a 30-foot-high main door and a specialized 45-foot-high tail door system. This configuration allows the facility to house large-cabin and narrow-body aircraft, including up to three Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) simultaneously. Safety features include a foam fire suppression system that meets National Fire Protection Association codes for full MRO operations.

According to reporting by Aviation International News, the complex represents a $15 million investment and was constructed over a 15-month period. While the facility is currently being used for aircraft storage, Sheltair has stated it is targeting a single occupant to provide MRO services for business jets or airline-category aircraft.

Strategic Importance for TPA

This development is the ninth hangar complex for Sheltair at Tampa International Airport, following a four-hangar expansion completed in 2023 on the south side of the airfield. The new north-side location aims to balance the airport’s support infrastructure and meet increasing demand for private aviation services.

“The new MRO hangar represents the future of business aviation at Tampa International Airport. From day one, our goal was to create a facility that not only meets today’s operational needs but anticipates tomorrow’s.”

Lisa Holland, President and CEO of Sheltair Aviation

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Airport officials emphasized that the project aligns with TPA’s broader master plan to enhance general aviation services. Brett Fay, TPA’s Vice President of General Aviation, noted that the investment responds directly to market demand while upgrading the service level available to operators.

AirPro News analysis

The completion of Hangar 4300 signals a shift in Sheltair’s strategy at TPA, moving beyond standard FBO (Fixed Base Operator) storage toward specialized maintenance infrastructure. By constructing a facility purpose-built for MRO operations,complete with high-tail clearances and shop space,Sheltair is positioning TPA to compete more aggressively for heavy maintenance contracts that might otherwise go to competing hubs in the Southeast. The decision to build on the north side of Runway 10-28 also diversifies the airport’s operational footprint, reducing congestion around the main FBO complex on the south side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary purpose of the new hangar?
While currently used for aircraft storage, the facility is purpose-built for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations and is marketing for a single tenant provider.

Can the hangar accommodate commercial airliners?
The facility is designed for large-cabin business jets and narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) or Airbus ACJ family.

Who owns the facility?
The facility was developed and is operated by Sheltair Aviation, a private aviation services company, on leased ground at Tampa International Airport.

Sources

• Tampa International Airport