Sanad, a global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions leader, which has now over AED30 billion ($8.2 billion) in committed volume agreements, announced exceptional operational performance for the first half of 2023. 

 

Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad, said: “Our performance is rooted in continuous investment in our MRO services and talented workforce. As a result, we cater to a growing customer base that increasingly relies on Sanad as a trusted partner. We continue to identify growth opportunities in strategic markets worldwide to meet the objectives of our long-term strategy and remain committed to expanding capabilities that will drive the next phase of our evolution. Securing major agreements with world-leading OEMs, servicing new-generation engines, and upgrading our infrastructure and equipment puts us on a path to future successes that validate our approach to engineering excellence.” 

 

During the first six months of the year, Sanad, wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), accomplished significant milestones, further cementing its position as a leading global independent aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and leasing platform. 

 

Sanad forged strategic partnerships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and deployed substantial investments to enhance its capabilities, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to executing its strategic vision.

 

Landmark agreement at Paris Air Show 

At the Paris Air Show 2023, Sanad signed a landmark 11-year agreement with GE Aerospace, a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and aircraft systems, along with Safran Aircraft Engines, a world-class commercial and military aircraft engine manufacturer. 

 

This partnership expands Sanad's MRO services to include CFM LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines, renowned for their exceptional performance and fuel efficiency, and positioned to become some of the top-selling engines globally, powering the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft families.

 

Through this collaboration, Sanad became the first certified LEAP 1-A and 1-B engine service provider in the South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa (SAMena) region. In addition, Safran now joins Sanad's roster of long-term partners, further enhancing the company's reputation as a trusted and reliable provider of comprehensive engine MRO services. To implement this new capability and execute this landmark agreement, Sanad intends to establish a new MRO centre dedicated to the LEAP engine platform within its facility, becoming the first LEAP MRO service provider in the Samena region and the third shop in its campus near the Abu Dhabi International Airport

 

Record-breaking engine inductions 

Building on its robust partnerships with all major engine OEMs, Sanad is the sole MRO company in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region certified for GEnx engine repair and overhaul. In the first half of this year, Sanad successfully inducted 14 GEnx engines to its state-of-the-art facility, reaching a significant milestone of inducting its 200th GEnx engine, a testament to its continued pursuit of excellence. 

 

Additionally, Sanad is the only independent Rolls-Royce approved Trent 700 maintenance centre worldwide. As the exclusive independent MRO provider with a strategic relationship with Rolls-Royce since 2013, Sanad increased the number of Trent 700 engine inductions by an impressive 42% year-on-year, bringing the number of engine inductions over the last five years to 150 engines. Its long-term contract with Rolls-Royce runs until 2031 and exemplifies the trust placed in Sanad by globally renowned OEMs.

 

In addition to GEnx and Trent 700 engines, Sanad successfully inducted 25 Pratt & Whitney V2500 engines in the first six months of 2023.

 

As part of its ongoing commitment to growth, Sanad has also been diligently preparing for LEAP engine inductions. This extensive preparation involved securing the necessary authority approvals, undergoing specialised LEAP engine MRO trainings, and setting up the LEAP center for seamless operations. 

 

Sanad is fully equipped and primed for the upcoming LEAP engine MRO activities, further solidifying its position as a leader in the aviation MRO industry.

 

Sanad Capital Division expands its network

Sanad has completed a strategic agreement with AvAir, a leading inventory solutions provider for the aviation aftermarket. This partnership aims to provide asset management solutions for various Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer components, making all materials available for exchange within AvAir's global customer network. 

 

Through this collaboration, AvAir and Sanad have established a component exchange pool, providing customers access to overhauled and serviceable components when and where they are needed.

 

Technological and operational upgrades

To deliver exceptional service to its global client base, Sanad invested in advanced borescope equipment, enhancing its in-house repair capabilities and enabling faster visual engine inspections as part of the MRO process.

 

Additionally, Sanad successfully upgraded its advanced one-of-a-kind Test Cell facility, reaffirming the company’s commitment to delivering world-class assessments of the safety and reliability of aircraft engines.

 

Building a strong workforce

A core aspect of Sanad’s commitment to nurturing professional development is the Sanad Future Leaders programme, a collaborative initiative with renowned international business schools. This dedicated programme is designed to foster the growth of high-performing employees and has yielded remarkable results. In a recent milestone, five exceptionally talented Sanad employees successfully graduated from the programme this summer.

 

Following this achievement, Sanad's commitment to employee growth remains steadfast. With a strong workforce of almost 500 employees and a robust learning and development programme surpassing 2,000 training hours, Sanad is committed to cultivating a thriving and exceptionally skilled workforce. Sanad's resilience and dedication firmly establish it as a leader in human development in the aviation MRO industry, paving the way for sustained success, even in the face of challenges.--TradeArabia News Service