Founded in 2005 as a 50-50 joint venture between Air France KLM E&M and Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc, Aerotechnic Industries operates from a facility at Casablanca's Mohamed V airport in Morocco – offering Airbus A320 and Boeing 737NG overhaul services including C-checks and D-checks. In 2017, it was eyeing ATI an extension of its capability to 737Max and A320neo aircraft. “We’ll likely be ready in 2019 for the 737 MAX and able to perform heavy maintenance check at the same level than the 737NG up to the D check. Shortly after, the A320neo will follow,” said Tommaso Auriemma, ATI’s CEO.
Overall MRO Events
Credit: Air Algeria
An estimated 985 MRO events are expected to take place this year, including the C Checks anticipated to be undertaken in 2021.
Air Mauritius
Credit: Air Mauritius
Like many carriers in Africa, Air Mauritius has outsourced many of its maintenance requirements to third-party providers. One long-standing relationship is with AFI KLM E&M, with whom it expanded its partnership with at the end of 2016 for component support on its ATR72-500 fleet.
EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering
Credit: EgyptAir Engineering & Maintenance
Among Africa’s largest MROs for third-party offerings, EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering has gradually built up a strong third-party customer base across Africa and the Middle East. Holding a full range of MRO services, its recent activities included ECAA approval for CFM56-7B repairs, following on from its airline affiliate increasing its fleet of Boeing 737-800 to 20 aircraft. Last year, Abou Taleb Tawfik, chairman of EgyptAir M&E confirmed that the company plans to attract more third-party customers.
Ethiopian Airlines
Credit: Ethiopian Airlines
Following substantial investments by the airline in its fleet, which include Boeing 787s, Airbus A350s and 737 MAX 8s, Ethiopian’s maintenance arm has responded by expanding its capacity. In 2017, it opened three new widebody maintenance hangars at its main base in Addis Ababa, following investment to the tune of $115 million. The facilities have full paint capabilities, while also targeting greater avionics, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic component maintenance offerings.
Kenya Airways
Credit: Kenya Airways
Operating two hangars out of Kenya’s capital Nairobi, Kenya Airways also runs mechanical and avionics workshops holding expansive warehousing capability. Among its third-party services are line and base maintenance on the Boeing 737NG and Embraer E190. Kenya Airways’ maintenance division is currently on a consolidation drive in its supply chain, estimating that by this summer, the number of companies in its supply chain will be reduced from 188 to 40.
South African Airways Technical
Credit: South African Airways Technical
South African Airways Technical (SAAT) holds a number of component specialisms including mechanical parts such as landing gear for Boeing 737-800s, Airbus A319s and A320s, wheel assemblies and brake assemblies as well as hydraulic, electrical and avionic components, among others. SAAT’s main operational base in Johannesburg provides line and heavy maintenance services, while line services are also available at Cape Town, Durban and Lanseria, as well as at regional airports in Kigali, Kinshasa and Windhoek.
Tunisair Technics
Credit: Tunisair Technics
Possessing base maintenance, line maintenance and parts repair capabilities, Tunisair Technics operates across eight locations in Tunisia employing around 800 staff. Catering for the Tunisair fleet, the MRO is also growing its work with other carriers in the North African country along with overseas airlines. It also holds multiple partnerships with specialists, including a 2017 agreement with AJW Technique, which will support it for more than 300 part numbers on its Airbus and Boeing aircraft fleet.
As Aviation Week's MRO Editor EMEA, James Pozzi covers the latest industry news from the European region and beyond. He also writes in-depth features on the commercial aftermarket for Inside MRO.
