MARSEILLE—Independent MRO provider Sabena Technics has added further capacity to its site in Marseille as part its strategy to expand volume for helicopter maintenance services.

The company reopened its Boussiron hangar during a ceremony on May 4 at its Marseille facility. The hangar had been inactive for more than 25 years.

The helicopter capabilities at the facility were acquired in 2020 when Sabena bought out military maintenance specialist Aeromecanic, which previously operated at the 3,300 ft.² hangar close to Marseille Marignane Airport.

The site currently operates as Sabena Technics MRS, where in addition to hangar space, it operates workshops related to helicopter engines, sheet metal work, avionics, wheels and brakes and painting.

As part of its helicopter MRO expansion, Sabena Technics acquired Heli-Union last September. In addition to its Marseille facility, Sabena Technics operates helicopter MRO facilities at Toussus-le-Noble, Pau and Angouleme.

Reopening the hangar will allow capacity to double from its current number of around 14 maintenance slots to around 28, and possibly more, Philippe Rochet, president of Sabena Technics told Aviation Week.

Much of the work will focus on Airbus helicopters, given its proximity to the French OEM’s helicopter base in Marseille and the arrangements Sabena Technics has in place with France’s Ministry of Defence, but it will also service other major helicopter platforms.

“We are going to continue to develop Sabena Technics as we are very optimistic based on the trends we are seeing in both civil and military, and I hope the helicopter business will follow these trends,” Rochet says.

The company operates 18 sites worldwide and its maintenance portfolio is comprised of a 50-50 split between commercial and military work. Sabena Technics' helicopter division accounts for around a quarter of its group revenues—approximately €700 million ($750 million) in 2022. The division employs 450 of the group’s overall 3,500 total employees.

Rochet says Sabena Technics hopes to surpass €1 billion ($1.09 billion) in revenue over the next few years, with 50% of its turnover generated in France and the other half coming from overseas. To do this, it will consider growing its footprint outside of France, starting elsewhere in Europe. “Most of our customers are European and I believe it is now the time to speed up our development outside of France, but maybe staying in Europe, for civil business,” he says.

Sabena Technics has not been immune to the challenges faced in areas such as labor recruitment, but the business has experienced a relatively stable environment so far this year. “We're already at more than 150 people and staff turnover and departures are decreasing,” says Rochet.