Mubadala-Owned Sanad Achieves Record First-Half Revenue on Engine Services Expansion

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Sanad expands engine MRO capabilities in UAE | AI-Generated Image

Sanad said in a statement that international customers generated 99 percent of its total revenue in the first half of 2026 while the company secured eight new commercial agreements valued at Dh95.5 million. The performance reflected sustained demand for maintenance repair and overhaul services together with the expansion of its asset management unit and ongoing investments in advanced repair testing and infrastructure. As airlines look for partners across the full engine lifecycle the firm continues to integrate MRO capabilities with asset management advanced repairs testing and used serviceable material to build end-to-end solutions that maximize performance availability and long-term value.

Mansoor Janahi the managing director and group chief executive officer of Sanad said in the statement “The first half of 2026 marks another important milestone in Sanad’s evolution. Despite continued disruptions affecting global supply chains we delivered strong operational and financial performance driven by our agile strategy. As airlines increasingly seek partners capable of supporting the entire engine lifecycle we are expanding beyond traditional MRO to deliver integrated engine solutions that combine maintenance repair testing asset management and technical expertise. Through continued investment in advanced capabilities infrastructure and our people we are strengthening operational resilience for our customers while helping shape the future of aerospace from Abu Dhabi.” The company which is approaching its 40th anniversary next year remains focused on long-term growth through expanded engine support global customer ties and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

According to the statement more than Dh800 million has been invested over the past two years to broaden repair capabilities testing infrastructure and next-generation engine maintenance capacity across the UAE. One major step in the first half was the announcement of a Dh480 million Repair Center of Excellence in Al Ain scheduled to start operations by 2030 with the 17,600-square-metre site set to consolidate advanced repairs across multiple engine platforms. The company also committed more than Dh25 million to upgrade engine testing infrastructure completing end-to-end LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B overhaul capability within the UAE and the broader Middle East region.

Sanad said construction had begun on its GTF Engine MRO Center in Al Ain with the project on track for late 2028 operations at a facility spanning more than 64,000 square metres that will rank as the world’s second-largest of its kind. Progress continued on dedicated twin engine test cells in Al Ain that will create the region’s largest civil aircraft engine test facility supporting more than 500 tests each year. These projects align with operational gains in the MRO network where 120 engines were inducted during the period a 33.3 percent rise year on year while engine deliveries climbed 53.8 percent despite global supply chain pressures.

The statement noted that Sanad is positioned to lift annual MRO network capacity to around 300 engine shop visits by the close of 2026. The first half also represented the initial full operating period for the new Asset Management division which deployed approximately Dh165 million in engine acquisitions repairs rebuilds and optimization efforts. That unit acquired 11 more engines to reach a portfolio of 17 launched a Trent 700 rebuild program and increased the supply of serviceable components to help customers cut downtime and raise fleet availability.

Sanad said it renewed and extended its Trent 700 partnership with Rolls-Royce through 2031 increasing both the work scope and the volume of engine shop visits handled at the Abu Dhabi facility which has collaborated with the OEM since 2012. New engine maintenance contracts were signed with major international carriers including Lion Air and Air Canada as part of the eight fresh commercial deals signed in the period. The company’s workforce expanded 44 percent year on year to 898 employees while Emiratization reached 36.9 percent with UAE nationals filling 51.6 percent of senior leadership roles and nearly two-thirds of recent leadership appointments filled internally.

According to the statement Sanad received recognition at the Aviation Achievement Awards 2026 as MRO Management Team of the Year and for Excellence in Aerospace Infrastructure Development with Mansoor Janahi named Aviation Executive of the Year. The company continues to advance its goal of becoming the world’s fifth-largest independent aircraft engine MRO provider through deeper technical capabilities stronger OEM and airline partnerships and talent development aligned with Abu Dhabi’s aerospace hub ambitions.

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Industry Gulf NewsDesk is the desk responsible for Industry Gulf's daily news coverage, monitoring and reporting developments across the Gulf from official sources, including national news agencies and government communications. Its focus is accurate, timely and factual coverage of the region.