Sanad unveils SAMENA-region’s first certified CFM LEAP engine MRO centre

Sanad, the global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions company, wholly owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), has announced the inauguration of its LEAP engine MRO centre, marking a significant milestone as the first certified engine MRO centre in the South Asian (India and Pakistan), Middle East and North Africa (SAMENA) regions. This world-class centre, spanning over 5,000 m², will offer advanced technical capabilities within Sanad’s new state-of-the-art facility in Abu Dhabi, becoming part of the global LEAP MRO network.

The announcement follows a landmark 11-year shop visit off-load agreement, signed during the Paris Air Show in June 2023, in partnership with GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, both leading providers of jet engines, components and aircraft systems. Through the agreement, Sanad significantly expanded its MRO services to include new-generation CFM International LEAP-1A and -1B engines that power Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX-family aircraft. These engines have gained global recognition for their exceptional reliability and fuel efficiency.

In a special ceremony in Abu Dhabi, Sanad unveiled the centre and showcased the first LEAP engine inducted in record time and marking the commencement of the LEAP engine MRO programme. The MRO centre began operations within a month of signing the agreement and successfully completed the MRO process on the first LEAP engine from flydubai just four months after signing. The centre is poised to receive over 450 LEAP engines for MRO services.

Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad, said: “The inauguration of Sanad’s LEAP MRO centre marks a pivotal milestone for Abu Dhabi’s aviation sector as we strengthen our partnership with GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. Sanad is proud to be the first in the SAMENA region to support the LEAP engine, recognized for its exceptional performance and fuel efficiency. With an outstanding worldwide backlog of more than 10,000 engines, it has established itself as an industry-leading engine platform. The development of such capabilities in the UAE provides operators in the region with high levels of sustainment, reducing the carbon footprint associated with the transportation of engines outside our region. In addition, we are excited about the job opportunities this venture will create for our talented team in Sanad and more broadly Abu Dhabi. This initiative not only ensures the operational efficiency of these engines but also solidifies Abu Dhabi’s status as a leading global aviation hub as we undertake the servicing of one of the highest-selling engines in the global commercial aviation industry.”