GE Aerospace has announced a $10 million investment to enhance its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Dubai, UAE, and Doha, Qatar, as part of a wider initiative to support airline growth in the region.
The investment, spanning 2024 and 2025, will provide new tooling and equipment, infrastructure improvements, and expanded training capabilities at the GE Aerospace On Wing Support (OWS) facilities.
Additionally, the sites will see a 30% increase in workforce, alongside funding for potential future regional investments, aimed at improving operational efficiency and supporting local airline customers.
Announced during MRO Middle East, the investment underscores GE Aerospace’s commitment to enhancing engine maintenance capacity to meet growing demand from airlines in the Middle East.
Aziz Koleilat, president and CEO, Middle East, Türkiye, and CIS for GE Aerospace said: “Airlines in the region have ambitious growth plans that depend on keeping engines on wing and operating efficiently.
“Expanding our MRO capacity means we can work on more engines, and there is more we can do to those engines. It is part of our commitment to meeting our local customers’ needs and expectations during a critical period for the industry.”
The On Wing Support facilities will now be equipped to perform additional maintenance tasks on CFM LEAP engines, including durability improvements, module-level disassembly, and work on the engine’s hot section. These enhancements will reduce turnaround times and increase flexibility for airlines operating in the region.
Strengthening Workforce and Training
As part of the investment, GE Aerospace is also prioritizing workforce development by adding new employees and training programs. A fully equipped training engine will be introduced to help new technicians reach certification levels faster, ensuring the facilities can handle increased demand efficiently.
Alex Henderson, Global On Wing Support Leader for GE Aerospace said: “This investment reflects our commitment to delivering for our customers in the Middle East.
“As supply chain challenges continue to impact airlines globally, we are moving proactively to grow our capabilities to support an increase in capacity. By committing these resources, we can ultimately deliver greater value.”
Part of a $1 Billion Global MRO Expansion
The $10 million investment in Dubai and Doha is part of GE Aerospace’s $1 billion global MRO expansion announced in 2024. The goal is to ensure that MRO facilities worldwide have the capacity to service growing fleets across GE Aerospace and CFM International engines.
The Middle East is a key market for GE Aerospace, with more than 20 airlines in the region operating over 750 LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines.
The investment will also prepare GE Aerospace’s facilities to handle the arrival of the GE9X engine, the world’s largest and most powerful commercial jet engine, which will power the Boeing 777X.
The Middle East is currently the largest market for GE9X engine orders globally.
The On Wing Support facilities will also leverage GE Aerospace’s Flight Deck operating model, which integrates Safety and Quality Management Systems to drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
With this expansion, GE Aerospace is positioning itself as a critical partner in supporting the rapid growth of the aviation sector in the Middle East, ensuring that airlines in the region have the resources, expertise, and infrastructure needed to maintain efficient and reliable operations.