Sanad Aerotech (Sanad) has elevated its business expansion ambitions in Africa by signing a landmark agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to collaborate and maximise on untapped MRO business opportunities in the region.

The initial phase of the agreement will see Sanad and Ethiopian Airlines establish a Centre of Excellence for the repair and overhaul of auxiliary power units (APU) in Addis Ababa and will start with APU’s used on Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft.

This will pave the way for future collaboration in the provision of APU MRO services to other African airlines. The strategic alliance also has future aspirations to expand capabilities to include aircraft components and aircraft engine MRO.

The latest agreement between Sanad and Ethiopian Airlines builds on a 2018 MOU to collaborate on APU capabilities, among others.

Sanad Aerotech is a leading provider of aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) solutions and part of Sanad – a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala).

Sanad Aerotech delivers industry-leading aircraft engine MRO expertise and a variety of engine maintenance services for multiple engine platforms to the world’s leading OEMs, including Rolls Royce, GE and International Aero Engines (IAE).

Ethiopian Airlines is the largest airline in Africa. With 126 young and modern fleet, it flies to 127 passenger and cargo destinations across 5 continents. Its fleet includes Airbus A350, Boeing 787, Boeing 777, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin.