Cebu Pacific and flyadeal sign leasing and maintenance agreement

Rolls-Royce Expands in China with New Aero Engine Facility BEIJING: Rolls-Royce's first aero engine maintenance, repair and overhaul joint venture in the Chinese mainland is on track to begin operations by the end of 2025, said a senior executive of the British aircraft engine manufacturer. The new facility in the northeastern suburbs of Beijing marks the aero engine giant's significant expansion in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, indicating the company's optimism about the Chinese market and its recognition of the country's supply chain. Beijing Aero Engine Services Ltd, a JV with Air China, is set to initially service Trent 700 engines for Airbus A330 aircraft before expanding to Trent XWB and Trent 1000 engines for Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft, respectively, said Troy Wang, executive vice-president for Greater China at Rolls-Royce, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency. "At its full capacity, which is expected to be achieved in the mid-2030s, BAESL will be able to support up to 250 shop visits per year," said Wang. The facility, which will employ up to 800 people at full capacity, represents a strategic growth initiative in China, Rolls-Royce's third-largest single-country market globally by revenue. Prior to BAESL, Rolls-Royce has been servicing Chinese mainland customers through its global MRO network, including HAESL in Hong Kong, which was established in 1997. Continued Investments and Market Growth The BAESL project is the latest in a series of investments by Rolls-Royce in China, including five JVs with Chinese partners. According to a report released by Aviation Industry Corporation of China, China's aviation sector is projected to require over 8,200 new passenger aircraft by 2043 to meet growing demand, including more than 1,500 wide-body jets. "China is not only a market, but also an important part of our supply chain," said Wang. He highlighted that Rolls-Royce has built a wide network of over 50 suppliers across the country, which manufacture key engine components and parts while "embedding digital and automation innovation capability". Technological Innovations and Partnerships BAESL is being built as a "world-leading digitally enabled aero engine repair and overhaul shop" incorporating the latest digital technology. The JV is already partnering with leading digital solution providers in China to develop AI-enabled capabilities. Industry Resilience and Competitiveness China's aviation sector has shown remarkable resilience and growth potential despite global economic uncertainties as its industrial ecosystem continues to demonstrate competitiveness in "cost, quality and lead time", Wang said. Last year, Rolls-Royce expanded its JV in China with Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co Ltd, a Chinese internal combustion engine manufacturer, to address the country's fast-growing market. - China Daily/ANN

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IndiGo Inks Initial Pact with BIAL to Set Up MRO Facility Under the agreement, BIAL will allocate about 31 acres to IndiGo for the development of MRO infrastructure to support the airline's expanding fleet, it said in a statement. This development is a strategic step towards enhancing the operational efficiency and service capabilities of IndiGo as it continues to expand.

Live Events Domestic carrier IndiGo on Friday said it has inked an initial pact with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at the Bangalore International Airport. Under the agreement, BIAL will allocate about 31 acres to IndiGo for development of MRO infrastructure to support the airline's expanding fleet, it said in a statement. The facility will be equipped to handle both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, further strengthening IndiGo's maintenance capabilities and operational presence at the Bengaluru Airport. "Developing broad IndiGo MRO capabilities marks a significant and very strategic step for IndiGo. Partnering with BIAL underlines our shared commitment to drive long-term growth of the aviation ecosystem in Bengaluru", IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers said. Together with BIAL, IndiGo is further shaping the future of Indian aviation by focusing on innovation, growth and global connectivity that will define India's leadership in the skies, he added. "We see this collaboration as a pivotal step towards building a significant global presence for IndiGo, as well as for India," he added. "We have had a very successful, long-term relationship with IndiGo and this collaboration further strengthens our association with the airline. This is a strong validation of the growth potential of Bangalore Airport and the city as a premier aviation hub," BIAL MD and CEO Hari Marar said. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of Karnataka for their continued support in making this collaboration possible and enabling us to drive forward the next phase of aviation-led growth for the region, he said. The initial pact also outlines broader collaboration in areas, including network expansion, infrastructure development, and joint marketing initiatives. This partnership reflects the strategic intent of both organisations to enhance aviation infrastructure and position Bengaluru as a key hub for domestic and international operations for passenger and air cargo, as per the statement. With more than 400 aircraft in its fleet, a dedicated MRO facility will give a significant advantage in terms of aircraft availability, greater cost efficiencies and quicker turnaround benefiting the airline and its customers, IndiGo said. Further, the development of the MRO facility will help strengthen the aerospace and defence ecosystem in Karnataka, it added. IndiGo already has one MRO facility each in Delhi and Bengaluru.

Press Release ATS Technic and Ethiopian Airlines Partnership ATS Technic, a leading independent EASA-certified line maintenance organization, announces a new line maintenance agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, broadening its operations across Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. This partnership expands the operational capabilities and service offerings of ATS Technic in the region, catering to the growing demand for high-quality aviation maintenance services. Ethiopian Airlines, known for operating the youngest fleet in Africa with a total of 162 aircraft, continues to lead in efficiency across the continent. This collaboration with ATS Technic is aimed at supporting this dynamic fleet, ensuring optimal performance and safety standards that align with international best practices. Under the new agreement, ATS Technic will provide a wide array of maintenance services tailored to the needs of Ethiopian Airlines at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, as well as Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, Sharjah International Airport, and Zayed International Airport in the UAE. These services include both routine and non-routine aircraft maintenance, which are critical for maintaining the younger fleet's peak operational readiness. In addition to technical maintenance, ATS Technic will oversee the supervision and coordination with Ethiopian Airlines' flight crews to streamline operations and enhance communication. Support services will also play a crucial role in this partnership, with ATS Technic handling precise fuel delivery and conducting thorough safety inspections. These measures are vital for maintaining stringent safety standards. Mahdi Al-Tahaineh states, "the partnership with Ethiopian Airlines is a significant milestone for ATS Technic as we broaden our operational landscape across the Middle East. This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing the MENA region's aviation industry by providing top-tier maintenance services that airlines can trust." About ATS Technic ATS Technic is the first independent EASA-certified line maintenance organization in the UAE, delivering superior MRO services to commercial airlines, lessors, and operators. As a global leader in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), ATS Technic combines technical expertise with reliability to keep customers flying. With strategically located line and base stations across the Middle East and key global hubs, ATS Technic provides world-class maintenance solutions, ensuring efficiency, safety, and compliance with the highest international standards. As part of ATS Group, ATS Technic benefits from a strong network of aviation expertise, ensuring seamless support for its customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.ats-technic.com. Source: ATS Technic

Strategic MoU Signed by IndiGo and BIAL BENGALURU- IndiGo (6E) has signed a strategic MoU with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) to build a new MRO facility at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR). The deal includes 31 acres of land to support the airline’s growing fleet and infrastructure needs. Meanwhile, IndiGo has appointed Ton Dortmans, a veteran from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (FR), to lead the airline’s wide-body MRO initiatives, especially in preparation for the Airbus A350 entry into service. IndiGo New Bengaluru MRO IndiGo’s agreement with BIAL marks a major step in building long-term aviation infrastructure in South India. The 31-acre Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) will be equipped to service both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. This expansion aligns with IndiGo’s broader plan to localize key operations and boost efficiency across its fast-growing network. Dortmans will report to Chief Operating Officer Isidro Porqueras and work with Senior Vice President of Engineering Parichay Dutta. His appointment supports IndiGo’s strategic plan “Towards New Heights and Across New Frontiers”, which includes the introduction of wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft from 2027. These planes, powered by Rolls-Royce engines, mark IndiGo’s entry into the wide-body segment. IndiGo aims to develop extensive in-house MRO capabilities in India. The airline currently operates over 400 aircraft with more than 900 on order. It opened its second Bengaluru hangar in 2023. IndiGo also established an Amsterdam office to support European expansion, with flights to Manchester and Amsterdam starting in July 2025. CEO Pieter Elbers highlighted Dortmans’ extensive MRO and wide-body experience. He noted the opportunity to build in-house MRO capabilities in India with local talent and IndiGo’s operational scale. Global Expansion Initiatives Dortmans will report to COO Isidro Porqueras and collaborate closely with Parichay Dutta, SVP of Engineering. Additionally, IndiGo has established a European base in Amsterdam to strengthen its international expansion. The airline will begin direct flights to Amsterdam (AMS) and Manchester (MAN) from July 2025. CEO Pieter Elbers stated that Dortmans’ experience in wide-body MRO operations makes him a valuable asset for the airline’s next growth phase. He emphasized the importance of growing MRO capacity within India using local talent. In another leadership change, IndiGo has appointed Vikram Singh Mehta as the new chairman of the board. Mehta replaces Venkataramani Sumantran, who completed his tenure after guiding the airline through a strong post-pandemic recovery. Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates. Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.

IndiGo Expands MRO Facilities in Bengaluru NEW DELHI: IndiGo, India’s largest airline in terms of passenger traffic, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) to build a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). This would be IndiGo’s second MRO facility in Bengaluru. Under the MoU, BIAL will allocate around 31 acres of land to the airline for the development of MRO infrastructure to support the latter's expanding fleet. The facility will be equipped to handle both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft to strengthen IndiGo’s maintenance capabilities and operational presence at the Bengaluru Airport. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said that developing broad IndiGo MRO capabilities marks as significant and very strategic step for IndiGo. “Partnering with BIAL underlines our shared commitment to drive long-term growth of the aviation ecosystem in Bengaluru and cement its status as, amongst the best and world-class international hubs in India,” stated Elbers.

Memorandum of Understanding Between Cebu Pacific Air and flyadeal Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) and flyadeal (F3, Jeddah International) signed a memorandum of understanding on May 28 to explore cooperation opportunities in the fleet management and maintenance segments. The partnership will include fleet swaps through wet-leases, and flyadeal confirmed to ch-aviation that it will wet-lease two A320-200s from the Philippine low-cost carrier. The initial ACMI contract will run for two months during the 2025 summer season. Cebu Pacific is expected to wet-lease flyadeal’s A320 aircraft during the high-demand winter season in Southeast Asia, although no formal agreement has been reached yet. CEO Statements on the Collaboration "This was the starting point for wide-ranging commercial discussions covering a broad range of areas including more immediate needs of wet-leasing aircraft for flyadeal’s busy upcoming summer season. A win-win situation all around to bring in Cebu Pacific aircraft during our peak period and vice versa for [Cebu Pacific CEO] Mike Szucs and his team to explore taking our aircraft for their winter peak later this year," the CEO of flyadeal, Steven Greenway, said. He also noted there are significant benefits to sharing technical knowledge and training practices related to the A330-900N. “It was clear and obvious that flyadeal could learn a lot from Cebu Pacific’s experience of low-cost long-haul operations, given we will be inducting the same A330-900neos into our fleet in just two years’ time,” he noted. Fleet Details and Future Plans Saudia Group, the parent company of flyadeal, recently placed an order for ten A330-900Ns for its low-cost arm. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific already operates eleven A330-900Ns, with five more expected to arrive in the future, ch-aviation Commercial Aviation Aircraft Data data shows. flyadeal's fleet comprises eleven A320-200s and twenty-seven A320-200Ns. Besides the A330-900Ns, the Philippine carrier also operates eighteen A320-200s, twenty-two A320-200Ns, seven A321-200s, and nineteen A321-200NX. Subsidiaries and Additional Fleet Information Cebu Pacific has two subsidiaries, AirSWIFT and Cebgo, that operate various ATR aircraft types.

Royal Jordanian Welcomes New A320neo Royal Jordanian (RJ, Amman Queen Alia) has taken delivery of its first A320-200N, three months later than it expected to begin operations with the new type. JY-RAD (msn 12304) was ferried from Toulouse Blagnac to Amman Queen Alia on May 28, 2025. The aircraft, one of 20 that the carrier has on order from lessors, is on lease from Avolon. The unit is the first of eight A320neo jets the lessor will deliver to Royal Jordanian over the next 12 months. The aircraft is equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1000 engines and configured with 180 seats in a single-cabin layout. The airline initially expected to take delivery of its first A320neo in November 2024 and planned to begin scheduled operations in February. It confirmed to ch-aviation at the time that the narrowbody's debut had already been pushed back due to production delays. Fleet and Operations Update Royal Jordanian operates to 63 airports in 34 countries with a fleet of seven A320-200s, two A321-200s, one A321-200(P2F), one (inactive) A310-300(F), seven B787-8s, two E175s, two E195s, two E190-E2s, and two E195-E2s. The new narrowbodies are part of a comprehensive fleet renewal. Royal Jordanian retired its last active A319-100 in December, and is replacing its E175s and E195s with newer-generation Embraer jets. It has three more E195-E2s on order along with six B787-9s. The airline previously told ch-aviation the new B787s, which were originally due to join the fleet in time for the IATA northern 2025 summer season, would arrive only in September and December.

Gulf Air Expands Network with New Aircraft Lease Gulf Air (GF, Bahrain International) has announced a significant expansion in its network by leasing nine A320neo Family aircraft from BOC Aviation. The lease agreement includes six A320-200Ns and three A321-200Ns. This development was revealed in a press release by BOC Aviation on May 29, stating that they have agreed with Airbus to purchase these new narrowbodies and lease them to Gulf Air on long-term agreements. Aircraft Delivery and Specifications The newly leased jets are scheduled for delivery over a three-year period starting in 2025. They will be equipped with CFM International LEAP-1A engines. Currently, Gulf Air operates a diverse fleet of 42 aircraft, which includes various models such as eight A320-200s, six A320-200Ns, four A321-200s, nine A321-200NX, five A321-200NX(LR)s, and ten B787-9s. Additionally, the airline is expecting the delivery of two more B787s and has firm orders for six A320-200Ns and three A321-200NX(LR)s directly from Airbus. BOC Aviation's Portfolio BOC Aviation, the Singapore-based lessor, boasts a robust portfolio of 441 aircraft. This new deal with Gulf Air marks the beginning of their partnership, as Gulf Air is a new customer for BOC Aviation. Future Plans and Government Involvement Gulf Air had previously planned to renew its narrowbody fleet by 2026, intending to retire all of its A320-200s and A321-200s. However, these plans were adjusted, extending the deadline due to the pandemic's impact. The airline, a state-owned entity that has been experiencing financial losses, is facing pressure from the Bahrain government to improve its operations. In January 2025, the government announced that it might consider selling up to 49% of the airline, contingent on its return to profitability.