UAE

The UAE aerospace and aviation sectors offer many opportunities.

The civil aviation sector is a vital contributor to the UAE’s economy and pre-pandemic, the industry supported nearly 800,000 jobs in 2019, contributing $47.4 billion to the economy, roughly 13.3% of the UAE’s GDP. While the pandemic severely affected the aviation sector, according to a new study released by global technology company Travelport, the UAE has recovered to 110% of its 2019 levels.

UAE government initiatives and investment in the aerospace industry have driven robust demand for business partnerships and helped the UAE outpace other regional markets. These initiatives include the offset program, industrial clusters, university programs, etc.  Such initiatives boosted the signing of contracts for new manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) projects in the UAE in support of the country’s long-term strategy for transformation into a knowledge-based economy.

The UAE has two flagship airlines, Dubai-based Emirates Airlines and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, as well as low cost carriers flydubai and Sharjah-based Air Arabia. Abu Dhabi also created two smaller airlines through joint ventures in 2019, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi.

The UAE aims to establish itself as a hub for aerospace manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul.

Abu Dhabi the leading country for Aviation & Aerospace.

The largest player in the aviation sectors is Mubadala Investment Company. Over the past few years, this company have formed partnerships with international companies such as Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, Rolls-Royce, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), among others.

Mubadala Aerospace, owned by Mubadala Investment Company, oversees the development of maintenance facilities for civilian and commercial aircraft, flight training, parts manufacturing, and research and development work. Mubadala and Boeing have signed four agreements in recent years for the supply of advanced composites.

Strata Manufacturing PJSC is owned by Mubadala Investment Company. Strata was formed to forge partnerships with aircraft OEMs and incorporate leading-edge technology and best practice manufacturing. It has formed partnerships with major aircraft manufacturers such as EADS/Airbus (Tier 1 supplier), Finmeccanica/AleniaAeronautica, SABCA, and FACC. Strata is now a Tier 1 supplier to Boeing on major components used in empennage ribs for the Boeing 777, vertical fin ribs for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and composite empennage ribs for Boeing’s 777X aircraft.

Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park created jointly by Mubadala Aerospace and Abu Dhabi Airport, is a mix of public and private investment projects created as a dedicated aerospace and aviation cluster. This aerospace park spans 25 square kilometers and consists of projects, businesses, offices, and mixed-use residential zones, the majority of which are allocated specifically to the aerospace industry.

Sanad Aerotech and Turbine Services & Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiaries of Mubadala Investment Company, provides engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and 787, Airbus A300, A320, A330, and other aircraft through technical support and partnership with OEMs including GE, Rolls Royce, Siemens, and IAE.