Ethiopian Airlines Inaugurates Ultra-Modern MRO Facilities in Addis Ababa, Reinforces Aviation Leadership in Africa

Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s largest aviation conglomerate, has made a bold stride in bolstering its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities with the inauguration of three cutting-edge facilities: a Component Maintenance Workshop, a Central Warehouse, and a 2-Bay General Maintenance Hangar.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the airline’s MRO Services compound in Addis Ababa, was attended by high-profile dignitaries including the Chairman of the Ethiopian Airlines Management Board, His Excellency Lieutenant General Yilma Merdasa, the Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Mesfin Tasew, as well as other airline executives, project partners and stakeholders.

Describing the moment as a milestone in African aviation, Mr Mesfin 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.”

He further emphasised Ethiopian Airlines’ vision for the continent:

“As we strengthen our infrastructure, we reaffirm our dedication to supporting Africa’s aviation renaissance and solidifying Ethiopia’s place as a continental hub for world-class aviation services and sustainable growth.”

With a cumulative investment exceeding USD 150 million and a construction timeline spanning three years, the expansion was delivered in partnership with China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation (CAIEC), China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), and DAR Al-Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners).

The new facilities are designed to elevate Ethiopian MRO’s service delivery across Africa and globally:

Component Maintenance Workshop: Adds over 170 new components to the existing FAA-approved repair capability list, which already comprises more than 1,200 components. The workshop includes specialised repair shops for Boeing 737 and Bombardier Q400 main and nose landing gears, as well as systems such as ATE, IDG, ACM, and ATS components.

2-Bay General Maintenance Hangar: With the addition of these two widebody hangars, Ethiopian MRO now boasts a total of eight hangars, dramatically boosting capacity for comprehensive aircraft maintenance.

Central Warehouse: Spanning 15,000 square metres with a storage volume of 25,500 cubic metres, the warehouse incorporates an advanced Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), enhancing spare parts management and ensuring efficient support for maintenance operations.

This landmark development consolidates Ethiopian Airlines’ position as Africa’s foremost MRO service provider and underlines its commitment to delivering aviation excellence while supporting the wider aviation ecosystem on the continent.