Collins Aerospace and Etihad Airways Engineering (Etihad Engineering) have announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) to establish a dedicated MRO facility in Abu Dhabi, significantly expanding nacelle and thrust reverser support capabilities for Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 operators across the Middle East and beyond.
The agreement, signed at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, will see Collins relocate its existing UAE nacelle operations to Etihad Engineering’s 550,000-square-metre aviation maintenance centre of excellence near Zayed International Airport. The new 3,250-square-metre facility, expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2027, will double Collins’ current nacelle MRO footprint in the Middle East.
The joint venture will provide comprehensive nacelle and thrust reverser maintenance, repair and overhaul services, alongside asset support solutions, for regional and international airlines operating Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 widebody fleets. The facility will also operate as part of Collins Aerospace’s global aerostructures aftermarket network, supported by the company’s worldwide technical resources.
PJ Titone, Vice President and General Manager – Advanced Structures at Collins Aerospace, said the partnership strengthens the company’s ability to support one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
“By co-locating with Etihad Engineering’s rapidly expanding heavy maintenance facility, Collins can deliver enhanced service levels and technical expertise to meet the growing demand across the Middle East. This joint venture expands our global MRO footprint while helping airlines reduce maintenance costs and improve turnaround times for Collins-equipped nacelles,” Titone said.
The partnership also enhances Etihad Engineering’s position as a comprehensive MRO provider by adding specialised nacelle and thrust reverser maintenance to its existing portfolio of airframe, component and engineering services.
Mahmood Al Hameli, Group Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA), said the new capability supports the group’s long-term strategy of expanding technical expertise and strengthening indigenous aerospace maintenance capabilities.
“This new capability aligns with our long-term commitment to capability enhancement and the development of local expertise. It broadens our service portfolio, strengthens operational resilience and enables us to respond more effectively to customer requirements,” Al Hameli said.
Daniel Hoffmann, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Engineering, said the collaboration reinforces the company’s position as a one-stop MRO solutions provider.
“The creation of this joint venture with Collins Aerospace enhances our value proposition by adding world-class nacelle maintenance and thrust reverser MRO capabilities to our comprehensive maintenance portfolio, enabling us to better serve airline customers from across the region and around the world,” Hoffmann said.
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The announcement reflects the continued expansion of OEM-MRO collaborations as airlines seek greater access to localised maintenance capabilities closer to their operating bases. With the Middle East witnessing sustained growth in long-haul fleet operations, the new facility is expected to improve regional maintenance capacity, reduce aircraft downtime and strengthen aftermarket support for next-generation widebody aircraft.
The partnership also underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a strategic aerospace MRO hub, with continued investments in infrastructure, technical capabilities and OEM partnerships positioning the emirate as a key centre for global aircraft maintenance and lifecycle support.
