Dubai Airshow: Thales signs contract with Sanad

It has agreed a strategic framework with Sanad, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company.

The agreement was signed during the show today and will leverage the expertise of both companies to deliver world-class services for airport security and safety systems as well as maintenance services across the Middle East and Africa region.

Speaking at the show, Yannick Assouad, executive VP Thales Avionics, said the agreement with Sanad will enable the two companies to explore how to ensure more seamless operations in terms of passenger flow, as well as safer operations on the apron and runway.

Building on the foundation of a memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in 2022, the latest agreement will see Thales lead on designing and building systems to enhance airport safety and security systems as well as the passenger experience, by deploying solutions such as its “Fly to Gate” end-to-end airport self-service experience for passengers. Meanwhile, Sanad will spearhead critical tasks such as maintenance, installation and rigorous testing.

With airports in the Middle East projected to invest more than US$150 billion in capacity expansion over the next 20 years, Thales is poised for further expansion in the region. “We have a strong presence in the UAE where we have our maintenance centre as well as in Saudi Arabia and Doha, but we are working across the region,” noted Assouad.