Ethiopian Airlines Group has inaugurated a substantial expansion of its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, marking a significant step forward for Africa’s largest aviation group and cementing its status as the continent’s leading provider of aviation technical services.
The newly unveiled facilities include a state-of-the-art Component Maintenance Workshop, a 15,000m² Central Warehouse equipped with an advanced Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), and two new wide-body general maintenance hangars at the carrier’s MRO campus in Addis Ababa.
The USD $150 million expansion project was developed over three years in partnership with China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation (CAIEC), China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), and design consultancy DAR Al-Handasah.
Speaking at the inauguration on 22 July, Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO said: “The completion of these advanced MRO facilities significantly enhances our technical capability and reinforces our position as a key player on the global stage.”
He added that the investment not only supports the airline’s rapidly growing fleet but also strengthens Ethiopia’s role as a hub for high-quality aviation services across the continent.
The new Component Maintenance Workshop introduces 170 additional capabilities, including support for B737 and Q400 landing gear repairs, as well as advanced test and equipment services for various aircraft components.
This expansion brings the total number of components supported by Ethiopian MRO Services—already FAA-certified—well beyond 1,200.
With the addition of two new hangars, the total number of aircraft maintenance hangars operated by Ethiopian now stands at eight, boosting its capacity to handle wide-body aircraft more efficiently.
Meanwhile, the high-tech Central Warehouse offers a storage volume of 25,500m³, streamlining parts management and improving turnaround times for maintenance operations.
Ethiopian Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, currently serves over 160 destinations worldwide with a modern fleet including Boeing 737, 777 and 787 aircraft, Airbus A350s, and De Havilland Q400s.
The carrier continues to execute its ambitious Vision 2035 strategy, aiming to become one of the top 20 global aviation groups.
