Gulf Air to build new MRO facility in Bahrain

Construction of a new Gulf Air MRO facility is expected to start soon, the airline said in September, with the site expected to be operational 18 to 24 months after breaking ground.

The national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain said that strategic expansion and financial efficiency are the main factors behind creating the new facility.

“In our ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and overall performance, ‘insourcing’ our MRO services would result in operational improvements,” said an airline spokesperson.

“Insourcing will allow for a considerable reduction in the duration of maintenance checks, thereby improving aircraft availability and maximising revenue-generating opportunities.”

The development will also generate employment opportunities for Bahraini nationals and build skill-sets for the future, thereby contributing to the Kingdom’s economy.

It also holds the potential to develop Bahrain’s aviation ecosystem. As part of this process, Gulf Air is keen to collaborate with component service providers to set up approved repair facilities.

The state-of-the-art facility will consist of a temperature-controlled multi-bay hangar, along with workshop and warehouse facilities. It will be able to accommodate one Code E (widebody) and one Code C (narrowbody) aircraft, or three Code C aircraft simultaneously. There will also be a dedicated apron and parking for more aircraft.

The new facility will allow Gulf Air to handle major checks for its fleet of narrowbody Airbus A320-family aircraft and widebody Boeing 787s. Gulf Air currently holds EASA 145 and BCAA 145 approvals for various maintenance activities.

“Establishing an MRO facility is a strategic investment providing long-term benefits for Gulf Air and Bahrain’s aviation industry. We are confident that the final product will enhance our operational efficiency and open up new avenues for revenue generation and market expansion,” said the airline spokesperson.