Abu Dhabi Aviation (BAR, Abu Dhabi International) has secured full ownership of Etihad Airways Engineering (EYE) and the Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Centre (AMMROC), along with a 50% stake in Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL), creating a formidable UAE-based aviation group specialising in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, logistics, supply chain management, and advanced engineering.
Following relevant regulatory approvals, the stakes were acquired from a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company.
The transaction was carried out through the issuance of a mandatory convertible instrument valued at around AED4 billion dirhams (USD1 billion), convertible into ordinary shares in ADA.
The company operates a fleet of 62 aircraft serving various purposes, including VVIP passenger transport, search-and-rescue, crop spraying, seismic support, and firefighting.
The newly acquired companies will add the following services:
- EYE provides MRO to multiple airlines, including Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International);
- AMMROC specialises in all-inclusive MRO from engineering solutions and technical training to supply chain management, modification and upgrade services for more than 35 different aircraft types; and
- GAL is one of the largest providers of MRO in the Middle East and North Africa, servicing more than 45 aircraft types.
In a statement, ADA said the strategic acquisition has created a local aviation group with a workforce of more than 9,500 employees and a comprehensive suite of aviation services. Positioned to capitalise on increasing demand in the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond, the new entity aims to reinforce Abu Dhabi's position as a global aviation hub.
