Latest news with #AzizKoleilat
Gulf Business
4 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
GE Aerospace's Aziz Koleilat on the forces powering the Middle East's aviation boom
Image: Supplied As the Middle East cements its role as a global aviation powerhouse, all eyes are on the region's rapidly expanding fleets, world-class carriers, and multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investments. In this interview, Gulf Business speaks to Aziz Koleilat, president and CEO of METCIS at GE Aerospace, to unpack the momentum behind the region's aviation ascent. From national strategies shaping air travel to the emergence of the Middle East as a future MRO hub, Koleilat shares insights on what's driving growth, the challenges ahead, and GE Aerospace's priorities as it marks its first year as an independent company. The Middle East has transformed into a major aviation hub. From your vantage point at GE Aerospace, what are the key factors driving this remarkable growth, and how sustainable is this trajectory? The Middle East's aviation story is one of incredible transformation. We've seen the region evolve from a mere stopover to a global aviation hub, with carriers competing to offer comprehensive networks and top-tier service. This sustained expansion is evident in the long-term growth figures, with the region achieving an average annual growth rate of 6.8 per cent, outpacing the global average since 2000. Looking ahead, the Middle East's commercial aviation market is poised for continued growth, fueled by increasing demand, the emergence of budget airlines, and substantial aircraft orders. The region's fleet is projected to expand at an annual rate of 5.1 per cent between 2025–2035, driven by the adoption of narrow-body aircraft. Long-term success, however, hinges on embracing more efficient practices and fostering technological innovation. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading forces in the region's aviation sector. Can you elaborate on their distinct approaches and how they are shaping the future of air travel in the Middle East? Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are demonstrating a strong appetite for growth, but with distinct strategies. In Qatar, dramatic growth has been driven by Qatar Airways, as it has developed Doha into a global connecting point. In terms of available seat kilometres, Qatar Airways has advanced from 17th to 6th largest globally in 2024. Our recent agreement with Qatar Airways was the largest in GE Aerospace history. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 offers a compelling example of rapid growth in demand, with its strong emphasis on economic diversification through sectors such as tourism. This ambition is being realised through significant investments in infrastructure and the development of new tourism destinations. And in the UAE, a sustained model of aviation-driven growth continues to be fueled by a thriving tourism sector and the country's role as a strategic global connector. A recent report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlights the UAE's aviation sector contributed $92bn or 18.2 per cent to the nation's total GDP in 2023. This impact extends beyond direct employment, with the sector supporting 991,500 jobs across the wider supply chain, employee spending, and tourism activities. All three countries recognise that as the region prepares to host world-class events and welcomes an influx of tourists, the reliability and efficiency of its aviation infrastructure will be critical in reaching national development goals. The Middle East is poised to be an important global MRO market. What are the key drivers behind this trend, and what challenges and opportunities does it present for the region's aviation industry? The Middle East is indeed positioned well for the global maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) market, driven by a substantial order book. The ten largest airlines in the Middle East already have a combined order book of 795 aircraft to be delivered by the end of the decade, one of the largest regional order books. This presents both opportunities and challenges. It requires investment in skilled talent, advanced technologies, and efficient processes to meet the growing demand for MRO services. Looking beyond the immediate growth, what are the critical elements that will define the long-term success and sustainability of the Middle East's aviation sector? The future of aviation in the Middle East will be shaped by the effective use of digital solutions and the cultivation of a skilled workforce. Advanced data analytics can optimize flight operations, improve maintenance schedules, and enhance the passenger experience. Investing in training programs and attracting top talent will be crucial for ensuring that the region has the expertise needed to implement these technologies and drive innovation. A focus on STEM education and partnerships with universities and technical colleges will be essential for building a pipeline of skilled aviation professionals. As GE Aerospace commemorates its first year as an independent company, what is your message to the Middle East's aviation community, and what are your priorities for the region in the coming years? As We recognise the critical link between reliable infrastructure, efficient operations, and a seamless passenger experience. By understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in the region, we can collectively ensure its continued global success. We are committed to providing the technology and expertise needed to support ambitious national goals. Read:
Trade Arabia
10-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
GE Aerospace invests $10m in Dubai, Doha MRO facilities
GE Aerospace has announced a $10 million investment in its two maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in the Middle East. Investments made in 2024 and 2025 support the GE Aerospace On Wing Support (OWS) facilities in Dubai, UAE and Doha, Qatar, providing new tooling and equipment, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced training capabilities. In addition, the sites will see a planned 30% increase in headcount, as well as funding for the exploration of additional regional investment opportunities. These improvements aim to directly support local airlines by increasing capacity and operational efficiency while contributing to the region's aviation ecosystem, the company said on the sidelines of MRO Middle East. 'Airlines in the region have ambitious growth plans that depend on keeping engines on wing and operating efficiently,' said Aziz Koleilat, President and CEO, Middle East, Türkiye, and CIS for GE Aerospace. 'Expanding our MRO capacity means we can work on more engines, and there is more we can do to those engines. It is part of our commitment to meeting our local customers' needs and expectations during a critical period for the industry.' With the investment in tooling and infrastructure, additional quick-turn maintenance tasks can be performed closer to where airlines in the Middle East are located. The OWS facilities will now be able to perform additional work scopes on the CFM LEAP engine, including durability improvements, module level disassembly, and work to the hot section of the engine, cutting downtime and increasing flexibility for airlines. (CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. LEAP is a registered trademark of CFM). Training is also an important element of this investment. By adding team members and training modules, including using a fully equipped training engine, the On Wing Support facilities will be able to bring new employees on board and support them in reaching certification levels more quickly, it said. 'This investment reflects our commitment to deliver for our customers in the Middle East. As supply chain challenges continue to impact airlines globally, we are moving proactively to grow our capabilities to support an increase in capacity. By committing these resources, we can ultimately deliver greater value,' said Alex Henderson, Global On Wing Support Leader for GE Aerospace. This investment is part of GE Aerospace's global, multiyear $1 billion MRO spending surge that was announced in 2024. The goal is to ensure MRO facilities in the region have the capacity to meet growing demand for services across the GE Aerospace and CFM installed base (. The facilities are leveraging Flight Deck, the proprietary GE Aerospace lean operating model that uses tools and approaches – including a Safety Management System and Quality Management System – to help drive continuous improvement. By identifying waste and other inefficiencies, the teams can improve safety, quality, and delivery to further support this investment. Currently, more than 20 airlines in the Middle East, Türkiye & CIS region fly more than 750 LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. The investment is also preparing GE Aerospace's facilities to handle the arrival of the world's largest and most powerful commercial jet engine, the GE9X engine, which will power the Boeing 777X. Globally, the Middle East is the largest market for GE9X engine orders. - TradeArabia News Service
Web Release
10-02-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Delivering for Airlines: GE Aerospace Invests $10 Million in MRO Facilities in the Middle East
On the sidelines of MRO Middle East, GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) announced a $10 million investment in its two maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in the Middle East. Investments made in 2024 and 2025 support the GE Aerospace On Wing Support (OWS) facilities in Dubai, UAE and Doha, Qatar, providing new tooling and equipment, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced training capabilities. In addition, the sites will see a planned 30% increase in headcount, as well as funding for the exploration of additional regional investment opportunities. These improvements aim to directly support local airlines by increasing capacity and operational efficiency while contributing to the region's aviation ecosystem. 'Airlines in the region have ambitious growth plans that depend on keeping engines on wing and operating efficiently,' said Aziz Koleilat, President and CEO, Middle East, Türkiye, and CIS for GE Aerospace. 'Expanding our MRO capacity means we can work on more engines, and there is more we can do to those engines. It is part of our commitment to meeting our local customers' needs and expectations during a critical period for the industry.' With the investment in tooling and infrastructure, additional quick-turn maintenance tasks can be performed closer to where airlines in the Middle East are located. The OWS facilities will now be able to perform additional work scopes on the CFM LEAP* engine, including durability improvements, module level disassembly, and work to the hot section of the engine, cutting downtime and increasing flexibility for airlines. Training is also an important element of this investment. By adding team members and training modules, including using a fully equipped training engine, the On Wing Support facilities will be able to bring new employees on board and support them in reaching certification levels more quickly. 'This investment reflects our commitment to deliver for our customers in the Middle East. As supply chain challenges continue to impact airlines globally, we are moving proactively to grow our capabilities to support an increase in capacity. By committing these resources, we can ultimately deliver greater value,' said Alex Henderson, Global On Wing Support Leader for GE Aerospace. This investment is part of GE Aerospace's global, multiyear $1 billion MRO spending surge that was announced in 2024. The goal is to ensure MRO facilities in the region have the capacity to meet growing demand for services across the GE Aerospace and CFM * installed base. The facilities are leveraging FLIGHT DECK, the proprietary GE Aerospace lean operating model that uses tools and approaches – including a Safety Management System and Quality Management System – to help drive continuous improvement. By identifying waste and other inefficiencies, the teams can improve safety, quality, and delivery to further support this investment. Currently, more than 20 airlines in the Middle East, Türkiye & CIS region fly more than 750 LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. The investment is also preparing GE Aerospace's facilities to handle the arrival of the world's largest and most powerful commercial jet engine, the GE9X engine, which will power the Boeing 777X. Globally, the Middle East is the largest market for GE9X engine orders. GE Aerospace has been working with commercial airlines in the Middle East for more than 40 years. Today the company has 250+ employees in the region supporting nearly 30 airlines and a combined fleet of more than 1,400 engines. With an extensive operational footprint across the region, including at customer sites, partner MRO facilities, the On Wing Support facilities in Dubai and Doha, and the Middle East Technology Center (MTC) in Dubai, GE Aerospace is committed to helping customers reach their growth goals and improve performance. *CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. LEAP is a registered trademark of CFM.
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GE Aerospace invests $10mln in MRO facilities in the Middle East
2024-2025 investment includes capacity expansion, enhanced training, additional tooling, and a 30% increase in headcount Resulting increase in volume of engines serviced part of commitment to airlines in the region FLIGHT DECK, GE Aerospace's proprietary lean operating model, will help drive continuous improvement beyond the investment Dubai, United Arab Emirates – On the sidelines of MRO Middle East, GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) announced a $10 million investment in its two maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in the Middle East. Investments made in 2024 and 2025 support the GE Aerospace On Wing Support (OWS) facilities in Dubai, UAE and Doha, Qatar, providing new tooling and equipment, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced training capabilities. In addition, the sites will see a planned 30% increase in headcount, as well as funding for the exploration of additional regional investment opportunities. These improvements aim to directly support local airlines by increasing capacity and operational efficiency while contributing to the region's aviation ecosystem. 'Airlines in the region have ambitious growth plans that depend on keeping engines on wing and operating efficiently,' said Aziz Koleilat, President and CEO, Middle East, Türkiye, and CIS for GE Aerospace. 'Expanding our MRO capacity means we can work on more engines, and there is more we can do to those engines. It is part of our commitment to meeting our local customers' needs and expectations during a critical period for the industry.' With the investment in tooling and infrastructure, additional quick-turn maintenance tasks can be performed closer to where airlines in the Middle East are located. The OWS facilities will now be able to perform additional work scopes on the CFM LEAP* engine, including durability improvements, module level disassembly, and work to the hot section of the engine, cutting downtime and increasing flexibility for airlines. Training is also an important element of this investment. By adding team members and training modules, including using a fully equipped training engine, the On Wing Support facilities will be able to bring new employees on board and support them in reaching certification levels more quickly. 'This investment reflects our commitment to deliver for our customers in the Middle East. As supply chain challenges continue to impact airlines globally, we are moving proactively to grow our capabilities to support an increase in capacity. By committing these resources, we can ultimately deliver greater value,' said Alex Henderson, Global On Wing Support Leader for GE Aerospace. This investment is part of GE Aerospace's global, multiyear $1 billion MRO spending surge that was announced in 2024. The goal is to ensure MRO facilities in the region have the capacity to meet growing demand for services across the GE Aerospace and CFM * installed base. The facilities are leveraging FLIGHT DECK, the proprietary GE Aerospace lean operating model that uses tools and approaches – including a Safety Management System and Quality Management System – to help drive continuous improvement. By identifying waste and other inefficiencies, the teams can improve safety, quality, and delivery to further support this investment. Currently, more than 20 airlines in the Middle East, Türkiye & CIS region fly more than 750 LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. The investment is also preparing GE Aerospace's facilities to handle the arrival of the world's largest and most powerful commercial jet engine, the GE9X engine, which will power the Boeing 777X. Globally, the Middle East is the largest market for GE9X engine orders. GE Aerospace has been working with commercial airlines in the Middle East for more than 40 years. Today the company has 250+ employees in the region supporting nearly 30 airlines and a combined fleet of more than 1,400 engines. With an extensive operational footprint across the region, including at customer sites, partner MRO facilities, the On Wing Support facilities in Dubai and Doha, and the Middle East Technology Center (MTC) in Dubai, GE Aerospace is committed to helping customers reach their growth goals and improve performance. *CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. LEAP is a registered trademark of CFM. About GE Aerospace GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 45,000 commercial and 25,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of approximately 53,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more about how GE Aerospace and its partners are defining flight for today, tomorrow, and the future at
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GE Aerospace invests $10mln in Dubai, Doha MRO facilities
GE Aerospace has announced a $10 million investment in its two maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in the Middle East. Investments made in 2024 and 2025 support the GE Aerospace On Wing Support (OWS) facilities in Dubai, UAE and Doha, Qatar, providing new tooling and equipment, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced training capabilities. In addition, the sites will see a planned 30% increase in headcount, as well as funding for the exploration of additional regional investment opportunities. These improvements aim to directly support local airlines by increasing capacity and operational efficiency while contributing to the region's aviation ecosystem, the company said on the sidelines of MRO Middle East. 'Airlines in the region have ambitious growth plans that depend on keeping engines on wing and operating efficiently,' said Aziz Koleilat, President and CEO, Middle East, Türkiye, and CIS for GE Aerospace. 'Expanding our MRO capacity means we can work on more engines, and there is more we can do to those engines. It is part of our commitment to meeting our local customers' needs and expectations during a critical period for the industry.' With the investment in tooling and infrastructure, additional quick-turn maintenance tasks can be performed closer to where airlines in the Middle East are located. The OWS facilities will now be able to perform additional work scopes on the CFM LEAP engine, including durability improvements, module level disassembly, and work to the hot section of the engine, cutting downtime and increasing flexibility for airlines. (CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. LEAP is a registered trademark of CFM). Training is also an important element of this investment. By adding team members and training modules, including using a fully equipped training engine, the On Wing Support facilities will be able to bring new employees on board and support them in reaching certification levels more quickly, it said. 'This investment reflects our commitment to deliver for our customers in the Middle East. As supply chain challenges continue to impact airlines globally, we are moving proactively to grow our capabilities to support an increase in capacity. By committing these resources, we can ultimately deliver greater value,' said Alex Henderson, Global On Wing Support Leader for GE Aerospace. This investment is part of GE Aerospace's global, multiyear $1 billion MRO spending surge that was announced in 2024. The goal is to ensure MRO facilities in the region have the capacity to meet growing demand for services across the GE Aerospace and CFM installed base. The facilities are leveraging Flight Deck, the proprietary GE Aerospace lean operating model that uses tools and approaches – including a Safety Management System and Quality Management System – to help drive continuous improvement. By identifying waste and other inefficiencies, the teams can improve safety, quality, and delivery to further support this investment. Currently, more than 20 airlines in the Middle East, Türkiye & CIS region fly more than 750 LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. The investment is also preparing GE Aerospace's facilities to handle the arrival of the world's largest and most powerful commercial jet engine, the GE9X engine, which will power the Boeing 777X. Globally, the Middle East is the largest market for GE9X engine orders. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
