Post by : Badri Ariffin

Sanad, operated by Mubadala Investment Company, has revealed plans for a new Aircraft Engine Repair Centre of Excellence in Al Ain, with an investment of AED480 million ($130 million). This initiative was announced at the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event, marking a significant escalation in Sanad’s global expansion strategy.

Designed as a greenfield project, the facility aims to enhance Sanad's maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities amid rapidly increasing global demand for engine repair services. This new establishment is set to improve repair turnaround times, expand service capacity, and assist airline operators in both regional and international markets.

Sanad is currently servicing over 80 customers around the globe. In 2025 alone, it added 24 new airline clients and broadened its operational capabilities across both legacy and next-generation aircraft engine platforms. The forecast indicates a substantial rise in engine inductions over the next decade, expected to jump from 230 in 2025 to over 500 annually by 2035.

As the MRO landscape evolves with the introduction of new engine technologies, airlines are increasingly seeking faster and more efficient solutions for repairs. Sanad is committed to advanced repair capabilities which are anticipated to become a pivotal competitive edge within the aviation industry.

In 2025, Sanad undertook inspections on over 43,000 engine parts and successfully repaired more than 19,000 components while servicing 230 engines across five engine types. Once operational, the new Repair Centre of Excellence is projected to amplify repair volumes to approximately 65,000 parts per year.

This expansive 17,600 square metre facility is planned for completion by 2030, unifying repair operations for key engine platforms like Trent 700, V2500, LEAP, GEnx, and GTF engines into a singular system.

Sanad anticipates that this custom-built facility will enable the company to handle a greater volume of repairs internally, boosting operational efficiency while supporting growth objectives. Furthermore, the centre is expected to generate additional revenue through specialized services offered to airlines and other MRO providers.

Upon its completion, Sanad aims to be the only independent MRO provider in the MENA region with such extensive repair capacity.

Additionally, the project is anticipated to underpin Abu Dhabi's broader industrial and aviation aspirations, assisting in the development of a dedicated aerospace ecosystem in the Al Ain region. The initiative is expected to create over 350 jobs, focusing on cultivating Emirati talent and supporting the UAE's economic diversification strategies.

Mansoor Janahi noted the significance of repairs in engine MRO, stating that this new facility will enhance turnaround times, fortify in-country value, and propel Sanad toward its goal of becoming a leading global MRO provider.

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