DUBAI-- Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) and Liebherr-Aerospace have renewed an existing component MRO services agreement while entering a cooperation related to heat exchanger services.

Ties between the two companies began in 2017, when SAEI selected Liebherr to repair the flight controls and air management equipment on the Saudia fleet of Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft. Last year, it grew further through the signing of a multi-annual extension of this components service agreement.

Both parties have now added a general terms agreement, through which SAEI will join Liebherr’s network for heat exchangers services. This enables SAEI to have in-house capabilities at its facility in Jeddah to handle heat exchanger tests or cleaning on behalf of Liebherr-Aerospace for all equipment operated in the Middle East region.

The contract, signed for an undisclosed period, was announced at Aviation Week's MRO Middle East event in Dubai this week.

"The ability to perform heat exchanger services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides an opportunity for airlines in the Middle East region to receive services locally, and benefit from the reduced turn-around time," says Captain Fahd H. Cynndy, CEO of SAEI.

Alex Vlielander, chief services officer – Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS, adds: "This venture will avoid long haul transportation of equipment for processing in other regions. It will therefore contribute considerably towards reducing the carbon footprint, while ensuring that our high OEM service levels and standards are maintained for all our customers in the Middle East region."