ADE signs landmark deal with Air France for A330 maintenance

Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) specialist has entered into a long-term agreement with Air France to deliver heavy maintenance and aircraft modification services for the airline.

Under the agreement, ADE will begin heavy maintenance checks on Air France’s Airbus A330-200 aircraft, with the first induction scheduled for October 2025. Further checks will follow on a phased basis. These initial aircraft represent the start of a wider collaboration, with additional inductions anticipated in the years ahead as the partnership between ADE and Air France grows and strengthens.

The agreement was formally signed by Mahesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Asia Digital Engineering, and Géry Mortreux, Executive Vice-President of Air France Industries. The exchange of documents was witnessed by YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, and His Excellency Axel Cruau, the French Ambassador to Malaysia.

Tengku Zafrul stated: “UN Tourism shared that global international visitor arrivals in 2024 had already reached 99% of pre-pandemic levels. For the same period, Asia Pacific alone registered 627.8 million visitors, which is forecast to increase to 801 million by 2027. Malaysia’s aerospace industry – with our clear growth policies, well-established ecosystem and rule of law – is well-poised to capture that growth. To that end, we welcome partnerships with foreign aircraft providers who see Malaysia’s value proposition as regional services and MRO hub to support their client servicing in this growing region.” 

Géry Mortreux, EVP of Air France Industries, comments: “We are pleased to enter this partnership with Asia Digital Engineering, whose EASA-certified facilities and highly skilled workforce make them an excellent partner for maintaining our Airbus A330-200 fleet. As Air France expands its network and modernises operations, ADE’s expertise ensures efficient,  world-class maintenance that minimises downtime and maximises performance. We look forward to a strong and enduring collaboration with ADE.”

Mahesh Kumar, CEO of ADE, expressed delight at welcoming another world-class airline into the company’s expanding portfolio of customers. “This partnership with Air France marks a historic milestone not only for ADE but also for Malaysia and the wider Asean aerospace industry. Being entrusted with their aircraft maintenance is a strong testament to the capabilities and competitiveness of our region’s MRO services. We are proud to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a hub for aerospace excellence while supporting Air France’s continued operational reliability.”