Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s largest aviation conglomerate, has launched a major expansion of its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities with the inauguration of three new, state-of-the-art facilities in Addis Ababa.
The newly commissioned infrastructure includes a Component Maintenance Workshop, a Central Warehouse, and a 2-Bay General Maintenance Hangar. This development is part of a $150 million investment aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and securing Ethiopian Airlines’ position as the top MRO service provider in Africa.
The grand opening ceremony took place at the Ethiopian MRO Services compound and was attended by Ethiopian Airlines Management Board Chairman, His Excellency Let. Gen. Yilma Merdasa, Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew, executives, and project stakeholders.
In his remarks, Mr. Tasew stated, “The completion of these advanced MRO facilities significantly enhances our technical capability and reinforces our position as a key player on the global stage. With expanded capabilities and cutting-edge systems, we are now better equipped to deliver efficient, high-quality maintenance services for both our growing fleet and third-party operators.”
Executed over a three-year timeline, the project was developed in partnership with China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation (CAIEC), China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), and DAR Al-Handasah Consultants.
The new Component Maintenance Workshop adds more than 170 new components, including specialized repair shops for B737 and Q400 landing gear, ATE, IDG, ACM, and ATS components. These additions bring the total number of FAA-approved components in Ethiopian MRO’s repair capability list to over 1,200.
The two new wide-body hangars increase the total hangar count to eight, substantially boosting the airline’s capacity for full-scale aircraft maintenance. Meanwhile, the newly built 15,000 m² Central Warehouse integrates an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), optimizing spare parts handling and supporting seamless operations.
Ethiopian Airlines’ latest MRO expansion reflects its strategic goal of supporting Africa’s aviation renaissance and positioning Ethiopia as a central hub for world-class aviation services.
