Ethiopian Airlines Unveils New State-of-the-Art MRO Facilities

Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s largest aviation group, has unveiled a significant expansion of its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities with the inauguration of three state-of-the-art facilities: a new Component Maintenance Workshop, a Central Warehouse, and a 2-Bay General Maintenance Hangar.

The new infrastructure is set to be a game changer in enhancing operational efficiency and reinforcing Ethiopian’s position as the leading MRO service provider on the continent.

The inaugural ceremony took place at the Ethiopian MRO Services premises in Addis Ababa on 22 July 2025, and was graced by the presence of Ethiopian Airlines Managment Board Chairman, His Excellency Let. Gen. Yilma Merdasa, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew, project participants, and Ethiopian Airlines Executives.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines stated, “The completion of these advanced MRO facilities significantly enhances our technical capability and reinforces our position as a key player on the global stage.

With expanded capabilities and cutting­edge systems, we are now better equipped to deliver efficient, high-quality maintenance services for both our growing fleet and third-party operators.” He added, “As we strengthen our infrastructure, we reaffirm our dedication to supporting Africa’s aviation renaissance and solidifying Ethiopia’s place as a continental hub for world-class aviation services and sustainable growth.”

With a total investment exceeding USD 150 million, and a construction timeline of three years, the development was executed in partnership with China National Aero­Technology International Engineering Corporation (CAIEC), China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), and DAR Al-Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners) for the construction of the three facilities.

The newly inaugurated facilities mark a significant leap in Ethiopian MRO’s technical infrastructure and service capability. Ethiopian MRO Services already has over 1200 components in its FAA approved component repair capability list.

In addition, the new Component Maintenance Workshop brings specialized shops for Boeing 737 & Q400 main and nose landing gear repair, ATE, IDG, ACM, as well as ATS Components adding over 170 new components in the existing capability list. This expansion strengthens support for both the airline’s fleet and the broader aviation community across the continent and beyond.

The addition of two wide body General Maintenance Hangars brings the total number of hangars at Ethiopian MRO to eight, significantly increasing capacity for comprehensive aircraft maintenance.

Meanwhile, the Central Warehouse, with a built-up area of 15,000 m2 and a storage volume of 25,500 m3 , incorporates an advanced Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), enhancing the efficiency of spare parts management and supporting smoother maintenance operations.