Business & Money | Wednesday 11 November, 2015 12:45 am |

A tripartite alliance comprising the India-based Haveus Aerotech (HA), Air India Engineering Services Ltd. (AIESL) and AIitalia Maintenance Systems, working under the brand name ‘HAA Engine MRO’, has signed an agreement with Dubai South for the creation of a first-of-its kind maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in the region. 

 

The 9,000 m2 Haveus Aerotech facility will be custom-built by Dubai South within its Aviation District. Costing more than AED 370 million (US$100 million), the facility will cater to CFM56-7B/5B engines along with APU and power gas turbine engines.

 

“It is a matter of pride for an Indian aviation company to plan and introduce this ecofriendly and ultramodern MRO facility into the region,” said Anshul Bhargava, Managing Director of Haveus Aerotech, who signed the contract with H.E. Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, the parent organization of Dubai South, during the Dubai Air Show yesterday. 

 

Welcoming Haveus Aerotech, H.E. Khalifa Al Zaffin said: “Today’s agreement marks an important milestone for Dubai South, which will see the establishment of a niche MRO facility into the Gulf’s aviation ecosystem. It contributes to Dubai’s journey towards becoming the aviation and aerospace capital of the world.”

 

The MRO facility, to be managed by HA, will cater to the burgeoning demand of aircraft engine overhaul of CFM56-7B and 5B fitted on B737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft in the Gulf, Far East, India and adjoining regions. It will be able to service around 100 engines in a year. The facility is projected to benefit Gulf carriers, providing them with cost-effective, high quality solutions, in addition to generating employment opportunities for the local and Indian skilled workforce.

 

Bhargava added: “Haveus Aerotech will be responsible for organizing investments through internal accruals and external borrowing, through debt and equity partnership. The objective of the facility is to make Dubai South an engine hub, providing all services and to create opportunities for new engine development in the civil and defense sectors. We are also looking at introducing aviation studies at the school level to help nurture fresh talent.”

 

According to H.R. Jagannathan, CEO of Air India Engineering Services Ltd., “AIESL has vast aviation and engine experience which we will deploy to provide Haveus with all necessary support in terms of provision of skilled manpower and quality certification related to the facility.” 

 

The AMS chief commercial officer, Oreste Murri, said: ”AMS shall partner with HA in capability and capacity development to perform repair and overhaul of CFM56, CF6, APUs and LM series engines. It will extend tooling, technical and training assistance related to the facility setup.”