This acquisition reflects AerFin’s progressive approach to aviation asset management, strengthening its commitment to providing high-quality Used Serviceable Material (USM) and extending the operational life of aviation components to support airlines, lessors and MROs worldwide. By dismantling these A320neo aircraft, AerFin is significantly expanding its inventory, addressing the increasing demand for USM as airlines seek efficient, lower-cost alternatives to new parts. 

The A320neo family has become one of the most successful narrowbody aircraft platforms in aviation history, with over 10,000 orders and widespread adoption by operators worldwide. AerFin’s acquisition of these 2017 vintage aircraft from Aviation Capital Group (ACG) presents a key opportunity to support active fleets by making high-quality parts available in an aftermarket where demand exceeds supply.

Simon Goodson, CEO of AerFin, said: “This is a landmark moment for AerFin and a testament to our expertise in the aviation aftermarket. The acquisition of these A320neo aircraft highlights our ability to secure high-value assets and provide airlines with sustainable, cost-effective solutions. Our customers rely on us for quality, reliability and innovation, and this deal strengthens our ability to deliver exactly that.” 

As AerFin continues to expand its global footprint and technical capabilities, this transaction underscores its ability to identify and execute complex deals that drive value for the aviation industry.

Auvinash Narayen, chief investment officer at AerFin, added: “This acquisition is a strategic move that reinforces our ability to source and manage premium aviation assets. The A320neo aircraft represent an important addition to our portfolio, and this deal reflects our agility and expertise in navigating complex transactions.

“We’re excited about the opportunities this opens up - not just for AerFin, but for our customers worldwide.”

Carter White, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Aviation Capital Group said: “This transaction with AerFin represents a significant step in the evolution of the aviation aftermarket, and we are pleased to have partnered with AerFin on the sale of these four A320neo airframes. 

“AerFin’s innovative approach to aftermarket solutions aligns with our focus on dynamic portfolio management and creating value at any time across the aircraft lifecycle. We are proud to support this milestone initiative and look forward to future collaboration with the AerFin team.”

The multimillion dollar facility, set to complete construction in the last quarter of 2026, will ensure an increased level of control and quicker maintenance turnaround for the carrier’s growing fleet.

Spread over 32,600 square metres, the maintenance centre will house an aircraft hangar, support workshops and office buildings. The construction of the Aircraft Maintenance Centre underscores flydubai’s dedication to strengthening its inhouse capabilities and reflects the carrier’s growing maturity as it expands its fleet and network.

His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, said: “We are proud to witness the groundbreaking of flydubai’s new aircraft maintenance centre at Dubai South, a key milestone that reflects the airline’s continued growth and operational advancement. This facility reinforces our commitment to supporting the aviation sector through state-of-the-art infrastructure and to further positioning Dubai as a leading global hub for aviation.”

Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer at flydubai, said: “this investment marks a significant milestone for flydubai. Since launching operations in 2009, we have made great strides in enhancing connectivity and driving innovation, and the development of our new Aircraft Maintenance Centre will play a key role in the next chapter of our growth journey. This is a strategic step towards supporting our growing maintenance requirement and capacity as we take delivery of more aircraft, and reaffirms our long-term commitment to innovation, operational efficiency and supporting Dubai’s position as a global leader in aviation and business excellence.”

The carrier signed an agreement with MBRAH for its first purpose-built Aircraft Maintenance Centre at the 2023 Dubai Airshow. Located in Dubai South, the district offers an aviation and logistics ecosystem that makes it an ideal location for the carrier’s facility. The maintenance centre will be situated near Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), set to become the world’s largest airport upon completion.

Tailored to support flydubai’s ambitious growth plans, the new maintenance centre will be home to the carrier’s expanding team of more than 600 skilled engineers working in Line Maintenance, Technical Services, Materials and Workshops, tasked with guaranteeing the safety and airworthiness of flydubai’s fleet.

MBRAH offers global aerospace players investment opportunities and is a free-zone destination for the world’s leading airlines, private jet companies, MROs, and associated industries. Located in and developed by Dubai South, MBRAH is also home to maintenance centres and training and education campuses. It seeks to strengthen engineering industries to foster the emirate’s vision of becoming a leading aviation hub.

flydubai has partnered with Group AMANA, a leading regional company that specialises in the design-build of industrial and commercial facilities, to deliver a modern facility built to the highest international standards in the heart of Dubai South.

Linas Dovydėnas, Chapman Freeborn IMEA President sheds light on how ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) solutions can transform African aviation.

ACMI – a solution gaining traction

With Africa's young and rapidly growing population seeking more opportunities for travel, air traffic in the region is expected to rise by an average of 6.4 percent annually, more than tripling by 2043. At the same time, African airlines are facing rising costs and supply chain disruptions that demand flexibility and adaptability to changing market conditions.

ACMI leasing emerges as a strategic response to this surging demand, offering airlines the flexibility to scale operations without the financial burden of aircraft ownership. This wet-leasing model provides airlines with aircraft and crew to handle seasonal peaks or bridge service gaps caused by aircraft maintenance.

There are over 1,500 aircraft available globally for ACMI leasing, with half operated solely under ACMI contracts. However, this capacity remains underutilised by African carriers, according to Dovydėnas:

“Leasing is gaining traction in Africa – African carriers are increasingly reaching out due to supply chain bottlenecks, inability to secure dry leases, and aging fleets. But it's still often viewed as a short-term or emergency solution, which drives up costs.”

This perception creates broader trends, with African airlines approaching ACMI providers just weeks before peak season, leading to inflated prices. Such procurement strategies ultimately undermine the cost-effectiveness that makes ACMI attractive in the first place.

Planning ahead pays off

While African airlines are increasingly adopting ACMI, they still need to shift from last-minute decisions to strategic forward planning. Dovydėnas advocates embracing ACMI not as an emergency fix, but as a long-term strategic tool that can help generate profit:

“Proper planning allows airlines to scale flexibly during peak seasons without committing to year-round fixed costs. We recommend signing ACMI agreements one to three years in advance to secure better pricing and availability.”

Chapman Freeborn is actively working with African airlines and authorities to position ACMI solutions as components of long-term capacity planning. Encouragingly, the company is beginning to see early-stage discussions around multi-year ACMI partnerships, which Dovydėnas views as a positive shift.

Addressing African aviation needs

The panelists addressed a critical market constraint: the availability of aircraft remains extremely tight. Global OEM delivery delays are pushing even mature markets toward ACMI solutions, which reduces the availability of second-hand aircraft flowing into African markets. This creates a complex supply dynamic where traditional acquisition models become increasingly challenging, making ACMI’s on-demand availability particularly valuable for African carriers.

Chapman Freeborn currently supports African airlines with ACMI and cargo services. As part of the world's largest ACMI group, the company provides African airlines with additional aircraft capacity when needed – for busy travel seasons, operational gaps, or unexpected demand surges. The company also plays a significant role in moving cargo across the continent, particularly humanitarian aid and urgent relief supplies to hard-to-reach areas.

“We are working with both airlines and aviation authorities to make it easier and faster for foreign aircraft to get approval to operate in Africa,” Dovydėnas explains. “Our local office in Johannesburg helps us stay close to the market, respond quickly, and build strong relationships across the region. Africa remains a key focus for Chapman Freeborn, and we continue to explore ways to strengthen our partnerships and presence across the continent.”

This strategic extension, along with the purchase of additional spare engines, forms a strong and reliable foundation for comprehensive engine support, enhancing fleet reliability and operational continuity.

Gulf Air operates one of the region's most modern and efficient fleets, which includes 29 LEAP-1A-powered A320neo family aircraft, continued collaboration with CFM is key to operational excellence; and a renewed affirmation of CFM's support and technical expertise.

“We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with CFM, who have been a key partner of our growth since our first CFM engine operations in the 1990s”, said Dr. Jeffrey Goh, chief executive officer of Gulf Air Group. “This agreement will enable us to secure MRO capacity for our fleet and maintain our growth.”

“It’s an honour to further expand our relationship with Gulf Air, a long-standing member of the CFM family”, said Gaël Meheust, President and CEO of CFM International. “This agreement commits us to provide Gulf Air with the best CFM standards in terms of support, reliability, and utilisation for its LEAP fleet.”

Under the deal, Air France Industries, a provider of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, will support and service 86 GE90 engines that power Saudia's Boeing 777 fleet. The work will be carried out at Air France Industries's facilities at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.

This agreement builds upon the strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in Riyadh in December 2024, during the state visit of President Emmanuel Macron. The MoU established the basis for enhanced industrial cooperation in aircraft maintenance, the development of local content, and commercial synergy between Saudia Group and the Air France-KLM Group.

As part of this long-term partnership, Air France Industries KLM E&M will deliver comprehensive and integrated engine support, including performance analytics, predictive maintenance solutions via PROGNOS, on-wing services, and field support. These services are aimed at ensuring optimal engine performance and minimising aircraft downtime – a key priority as Saudia continues to enhance its operational reliability and passenger experience.

This latest order, which will power six Airbus A350-900 aircraft, brings EgyptAir’s total commitment to the Trent XWB-84 engine to 32 units.

As part of this strategic partnership, Rolls-Royce will provide comprehensive maintenance and health services for the engines through its renowned TotalCare service, ensuring optimal performance and reliability for EgyptAir’s operations.

Ewen McDonald, chief customer officer, Rolls-Royce, said: “We are delighted that EgyptAir has chosen to order six additional Airbus A350s and sign a long-term service agreement that will cover the fleet. We extend our gratitude to EgyptAir for their continued trust in us, and we are proud to continue our long-standing relationship. We look forward to supporting these new aircraft when they enter service later this year.”

Capt. Ahmed Adel, chairman EgyptAir, said: “We are proud to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Rolls-Royce through the signing of this TotalCare contract for our Trent XWB-84 fleet. This agreement not only highlights our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence but also marks a significant milestone in our collaboration with Rolls-Royce, ensuring the future success of EgyptAir with the addition of this advanced engine type.”

At the time of this announcement, five APUs are already undergoing maintenance at the renewed EPCOR facility based at Schiphol-Rijk, the Netherlands, with a steady pipeline of additional units anticipated over the course of the agreement.

“We are honoured to extend our partnership with Kuwait Airways, a historic airline with a proud legacy and a clear vision for operational excellence,” said Rob van de Graaf, commercial director at EPCOR. “This APU programme is a strong example of how we deliver value through technical depth, flexible support, and transparent collaboration.” 

“We view EPCOR and AFI KLM E&M not only as technical partners, but also as strategic allies in achieving our reliability and performance targets,” said Osama Al-Obaidan, engineering & maintenance director at Kuwait Airways. “Their track record with our 777 APU maintenance has demonstrated the professionalism, speed, and service quality we demand from our MRO providers. Renewing this agreement was a natural decision.”

Signed during Paris Air Show 2025, the agreements form part of a new GSE pavilion that will be featured at BIAS next November, with the aim to promote future-focused sustainable advancements across the wider aviation infrastructure. This new initiative on BIAS’ growing floorplan aligns with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s 2030 Vision for zero emissions and emphasising the use of electrical machinery in the industry.

Specialising in the global supply of used and refurbished ground support equipment, exhibitors secured include Airmarrel, Mallaghan, Mulag, Shire, Sovam, TLD, Trepel, Cobus Industries and DOLL.

BIAS 2026 will take place 18–20 November 2026, at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain. Exhibitors and delegates interested in participating in BIAS 2026 are encouraged to secure their space early, as demand is expected to surpass previous editions.

At the same time, an MoU was also signed for Rolls-Royce’s comprehensive TotalCare service that will cover the health and maintenance of the engines. The Trent XWB-97 engine is the world’s most efficient large aero-engine, specifically designed for the Airbus A350-1000 and will help fulfil Riyadh Air’s ambitions to  y to over 100 global destinations by 2030. The airline, whose fleet orders now total up to 182 aircraft across three fleet types, is set to commence operations later in 2025.

The A350-1000 aircraft to be powered by the Trent XWB-97 engines, will help grow Riyadh Air’s network to the furthest corners of the globe, adding range and capacity that will ensure that Riyadh, a G20 capital city, will be fully connected to the world, realising the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Having secured its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) earlier in 2025, Riyadh Air is making considerable progress as it moves closer to its maiden flight later this year.

Riyadh Air CFO, Adam Boukadida said: “The growth of Riyadh Air is of critical importance to the development of Saudi Arabia as an aviation hub, and selecting world-class companies like Rolls- Royce to power our future Airbus large wide-body  fleet ensures we have the right partners in place to achieve our ambitions. This deal for 100 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines to power our fleet of Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is hugely significant as it brings us closer to realising our long-term vision of enhanced connectivity for Riyadh.”

Rob Watson, President, Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said: “We’re looking forward to supporting the significant growth ambitions of Riyadh Air in its launch year. The Trent XWB-97 is an incredible engine and our TotalCare package will provide operational certainty across the fleet. The engine will bene t from the £1bn investment we’re making to the Trent engine family that improves their durability and efficiency across all operations. We look forward to supporting these new aircraft as they enter service.”

Despite ATR’s postponement of its next-generation EVO project, the two companies are proceeding with research and technology work toward a hybrid-electric propulsion system. The timeframe illustrates the commercial aircraft sector’s struggles to move away from conventional engines and meet its decarbonisation objective.

ATR and P&WC are considering a major evolution of the current PW127XT turboprop, according to Daniel Cuchet, ATR’s head of engineering. They are counting on new materials to withstand higher temperatures and therefore cut the turboprop engine’s fuel consumption.

“We are talking about two-digit improvements in power and efficiency,” Cuchet says. The two companies are simultaneously exploring a hybrid-electric powertrain, where both the thermal engine and an electric motor can drive the propeller.

Batteries would be associated to a converter to supply 800VDC current to the motor, itself connected to the main gearbox. As ATRs do not have auxiliary power units and often operate from airports with little ground support equipment, the layout would enable recharging the batteries in 15-20 min. between flights.

Compared to thermal efficiencies, which are already very high, batteries leave much more room for improvement, Cuchet says. “That is what you need to work on as a priority,” he says.

He thus praises the recent announcement by Safran and Saft to work jointly on the next generation of batteries. The two companies intend to rely on lithium manganese ferro phosphate chemistry for higher specific energy, measured in energy content per weight unit.

As a third avenue of progress, ATR engineers are going to study the airframe’s aerodynamics, including engine integration. They may also find ways to reduce the aircraft’s weight, Cuchet adds.

“With those technologies, we are thinking of 2035 for entry into service,” he says. “And you can work on all those subjects in parallel.”

They may thus feed the broader EVO project, which also includes new avionics. Or they may enable an earlier evolution of the ATR 72-600, Cuchet says.