MRO Middle East: Skills set is key to region's prospects

Yassine Sabbagh, Executive Director of MASCO, Middle East Airlines, said: “Over the past year, the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul industry worldwide took a big hit. The reduction of spend by four per cent by airlines translates into a reduction of some 12 per cent in MRO. In commercial aviation, MRO spend globally was reduced to just US$41.8 in 2009, compared to $44 billion in 2008, and $45 billion in the peak year of 2007.

“However, the Middle East will be the gateway to Europe, the US and Asia for the MRO industry in the future, due to its strong infrastructure and a strong network of MRO service providers,” he said, adding: “The main advantage is its high availability of skilled workers and the competitive labour cost, which is halfway between that of Europe and Asia.

This advantage will pay good dividends in the next few years when the Middle East carriers take delivery of their aircraft orders and when we start seeing the expected increase in low-cost airlines. The future is bright for this region.”

The MRO Middle East show is one of three running all this week as part of ‘Aerospace Week’, which was inaugurated at Airport Expo, Dubai, by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai’s Department of Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group.