ExecuJet MRO shaping up for the future

Select business partners and customers will be able to visit the 15,000sqm MRO facility during the show, with the centre planned to become ExecuJet’s new regional headquarters in Dubai once it opens in first quarter of 2023.

The facility will be able to house 18-24 business jets simultaneously.

Nick Weber, regional vice president, ExecuJet MRO Services, said: “We have increased MRO space, particularly in the wheel shops, the battery shops, the electrical ELT department, sheet metal shops, and a spray booth that is built into the workshop area. It is designed to cater for growth within the sector, and the increase of business aircraft in terms of size. It will cater for the Falcon 6X, and the 10X when that comes into service.”

ExecuJet MRO is now part of Dassault, but still remains an independent operator. Weber explained the relationship: “We are now owned by an OEM, but we continue to support other aircraft types, which was always Dassault’s vision.

“What Dassault has brought us is increased scope. We did not support Falcons here in the Middle East prior to the acquisition back in 2020. It has given us opportunity to support another OEM brand, but also to be an OEM service centre itself.”

The boom of MRO support in the region will put pressure on the available talent.

Weber said: “We are moving into the new facility with 140 personnel. We will probably be at a staffing contingent of around 250 in 10 years’ time. The majority of the growth will be engineers and technicians and we have entered into internship programmes with local UAE universities and colleges, which kicked off around 2016.

“To date we have had 30 interns going through the facility and, of those, I am proud to say we have employed 20. We are looking after the industry as a whole, but also our own organisation. The industry requires around 87,000 engineers and technicians by the year 2037, but ExecuJet has endeavoured to retain staff, and we offer scholarships and work experience. The intention for us, and in line with the government request, is to try and entice more UAE engineers in future.”