Market Trends of GCC Aircraft MRO Industry
Engine Segment Anticipated to Generate Highest Growth
- The Middle East and Africa's aircraft engine MRO market is poised for robust growth, buoyed by a surging commercial aviation sector. This growth is underpinned by escalating air passenger traffic, airlines' heightened procurement of new aircraft, and improving economic landscapes in several regional countries.
- In response to the escalating air traffic, several GCC nations have granted substantial aircraft contracts to industry giants like Airbus and Boeing. Notably, Qatar Airways, as of March 2023, had a staggering USD 72 billion worth of orders for around 250 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with most slated for delivery within the forecast period. Capitalizing on their strategic location, Gulf governments are funneling significant investments into bolstering and expanding their airport infrastructure.
- Moreover, the Middle East's landscape, with its limited domestic travel and the presence of global aviation hubs like Dubai, has seen a surge in the utilization of widebody aircraft. Consequently, the demand for widebody aircraft engine MRO services is rising. For instance, in December 2023, FlyDubai sealed a deal with Boeing for 30 B787-9 aircraft, intending to deploy them on new, high-demand routes. Notably, a significant portion of the region's engine MRO is managed by industry stalwarts like Rolls Royce PLC, General Electric Company, and Pratt & Whitney, further fueling the demand for commercial aircraft engine MRO services in the region.
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United Arab Emirates to Hold the Largest Market Share
- The United Arab Emirates boasts major airlines like Etihad Airways and Emirates, which are actively modernizing passenger and cargo aircraft fleets. This, in turn, fuels the demand for aircraft MRO services, driven by the influx of new aircraft into the region's airlines.
- Moreover, these carriers are bolstering their presence in the LCC (low-cost carrier) sector through strategic partnerships. As a result, there is a rising demand for narrowbody aircraft and their MRO services. For example, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, a collaboration between Etihad Aviation Group and Air Arabia, commenced operations in July 2020, marking the UAE capital's first low-cost carrier. In a significant move, the airline inked a deal with Airbus in November 2019 for 120 A320neo aircraft, with deliveries set to begin in 2025. Subsequently, in November 2023, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi secured a contract with CFM International for 240 CFM Leap-1A engines to power its fleet, including the A321XLR. Such substantial aircraft and engine orders are poised to propel the MRO market's growth in the GCC region.
- While many UAE airlines boast robust MRO capabilities, they still rely on engine OEMs and third-party providers for maintenance. This reliance has notably bolstered the market for engine MRO services in recent years. For instance, in November 2023, Sanad unveiled its LEAP Engine MRO Center in Abu Dhabi. This new facility, dedicated to LEAP-1A and 1B engines, has an impressive capacity to service up to 200 engines annually. These advancements are set to further fuel the country's aircraft MRO market during the forecast period.
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