PIF to build aircraft repair and maintenance village

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) will develop a one million-square-metre maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) village in Saudi Arabia as part of its investment in Saudia Technic, a subsidiary of Saudia Group.

The aim is to transform Saudia Technic into a national MRO “champion” by investing in infrastructure, boosting efficiency and capturing market growth in the kingdom over the next decade.  

The new MRO village will significantly increase hangar capacity and the number of component shops to capture the kingdom’s future market demand through scale and efficiency across line, base, engine, and component segments, the sovereign wealth fund said in a statement.

The MRO village will include constructing and operationalising an engine test cell that will serve next-generation wide-body and narrow-body aircraft engines.

Formerly known as Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries, Saudia Technic provides services across key aviation MRO segments, including line, base, components and engines. 

Saudi Arabia is cementing its position as a global aviation hub by developing King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, which aims to have the capacity for 120 million travelers by 2030. 

Other initiatives include the launch of The Helicopter Company to enhance local connectivity and AviLease, an aircraft leasing company to support the growth of the country’s expanding aviation sector.