Ethiopian Airlines Group has taken another giant leap forward in solidifying its leadership position in the global aviation market by commissioning a $150 million expansion of its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Addis Ababa. The expansion, inaugurated between July 22 and 25, 2025, represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in African aviation maintenance history.
Transforming African MRO Capabilities
The latest expansion introduces three advanced facilities designed to set new benchmarks for efficiency and technical capabilities:
Two-Bay Maintenance Hangar – Equipped to handle both widebody and narrowbody aircraft, expanding Ethiopian’s in-house airframe maintenance capabilities.
Component Maintenance Workshop – Adds over 170 FAA-approved component repair capabilities, including landing gear, avionics, and integrated drive generators, pushing the total approved list beyond 1,200 parts.
Automated Central Warehouse – A 15,000 m² storage and logistics center featuring an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) to accelerate parts availability and reduce maintenance turnaround times.
This expansion brings Ethiopian MRO’s total hangar count to eight, positioning it as a world-class facility capable of supporting not just Ethiopian’s growing fleet but also third-party carriers across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Engine Overhaul: Leap‑1B Test Cell
In addition to the new infrastructure, Ethiopian Airlines has invested heavily in engine maintenance capabilities, becoming the first African operator to offer CFM Leap‑1B engine testing—the powerplant behind Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft.
Launched in July 2024, this test cell makes Ethiopian one of only five facilities worldwide outside of GE and Safran’s network with such advanced capabilities. A second phase, involving Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV‑1) services, is on track for completion by September 2024
Regional Support: ATR Turboprop Services
The MRO division is also expanding its scope to regional aircraft. A partnership with ATR will make Addis Ababa a hub for ATR 42/72‑500/600 maintenance and training. By Q2 2025, Ethiopian will offer complete support for ATR operators across Africa and the Middle East, covering spare parts, pilot training, and heavy maintenance checks.
Vision 2035: From $100M to $1B MRO Revenue
Currently generating over $100 million annually in third-party contracts, Ethiopian’s MRO division is a key revenue driver for the group. Under the Vision 2035 plan, the airline aims to scale this to $1 billion, capitalizing on demand from international operators who prefer African-based solutions over costly overseas maintenance.
A Strategic Step for Africa
During the launch, Group CEO Mesfin Tasew emphasized the significance of the expansion:
“By building world-class maintenance capacity in Africa, we are not just strengthening Ethiopian Airlines but also creating a sustainable aviation ecosystem for the entire continent.”
This vision aligns with Ethiopia’s national strategy to become an aviation hub for Africa, while reducing the reliance of regional airlines on Europe and the Middle East for heavy maintenance checks.
Why This Matters
Cost Efficiency: The new facilities reduce the time and cost of ferrying aircraft overseas for checks.
Job Creation: The expansion brings skilled engineering opportunities to Africa’s aviation workforce.
Strategic Advantage: Ethiopian now offers a full-service solution—from passenger and cargo operations to aircraft maintenance—making it one of the most integrated airline groups globally.
Ethiopian’s MRO expansion is not just good news for the airline—it’s a turning point for African aviation. With world-class facilities, advanced engine testing, and a growing list of global clients, Addis Ababa is quickly becoming the go-to maintenance hub for airlines operating in and beyond Africa.
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