Goodrich Corporation has opened its $25 million maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) services facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

Goodrich is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defence and homeland security markets.

The 115,000 sq ft aircraft component and systems maintenance and repair campus was inaugurated in the presence of Jamal Majid bin Thaniah, executive vice chairman DP World and Group CEO Port and Free Zone World, and other senior officials of Jafza and Economic Zones World.

Bin Thaniah said: “Dubai is the biggest and most strategically positioned aviation hub in the region. The quantum of air traffic and the number of aviation companies operating from here underline the need for one-stop services encompassing the entire aviation spectrum.

“By the year 2015, the new airport in Jebel Ali is projected to handle 120 million passengers a year. This reflects the magnitude of aviation activities that Dubai is to witness in the near future, and as such the need for quality MRO services is ready to be realised.”

Goodrich, from its Jafza-based facility will offer services for components and systems for both commercial and military aerospace customers from Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Its MRO services will cover a broad range of commercial aircraft including the new Airbus A380 and military fleet comprising F-16, F-18 and Tornado aircraft.

The Goodrich Jafza facility currently employs 50 people and this is expected to increase to around 100 within the next year. – TradeArabia News Service