As global airlines grapple with aircraft shortages, ageing fleets and persistent supply chain bottlenecks, the often-overlooked world of engine maintenance has emerged as one of aviation’s most critical pressure points.

In the middle of that shift is Abu Dhabi-based Sanad, which posted record growth in 2025, with engine inductions jumping 43 per cent year-on-year to 230 and revenue rising 41 per cent to Dhs7bn, as global demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services continues to outpace available capacity.

Backed by a Dhs38bn backlog, more than 1,000 committed shop visits and growing investments in AI-enabled inspections, digital planning systems and next-generation engine platforms, Sanad, a Mubadala subsidiary, is positioning itself as more than a maintenance provider, it is building what Mansoor Janahi, its MD and CEO, calls a globally connected aerospace infrastructure platform.

Here, Janahi discusses scaling amid constrained global capacity, the strategic role of MRO in Abu Dhabi’s industrial ambitions, and why the future of aviation resilience will depend as much on data and talent as it does on engines.

Sanad reported a significant rise in engine inductions to 230 in 2025, up from 161 in 2024. How does the company plan to sustain this momentum while navigating a global market where engine MRO capacity remains “structurally constrained”?

Sanad’s growth reflects a deliberate, long-term capacity build, rather than a response to short-term demand cycles

Over the past year, we have focused on expanding our infrastructure, in-house repair capabilities, and workflow optimisation, enabling us to scale efficiently while maintaining operational consistency.

A key differentiator is the integration of our MRO and asset management activities, allowing us to manage the full engine lifecycle, optimising planning, improving turnaround times, and maintaining control over both capacity and delivery.

With 230 engine inductions in 2025, up 43 per cent year-on-year, and a contracted backlog of Dhs38bn supported by long-term agreements, we have strong visibility and are well positioned to scale in line with sustained global demand, even as industry capacity remains constrained.

With a 41 per cent year-on-year revenue increase to Dhs7bn, what were the primary contributors to this record performance and was it driven more by the expansion of the engine portfolio or the execution of long-term OEM agreements?

Sanad’s record performance reflects a combination of structural strengths across the business, rather than a single driver.

Revenue reached Dhs7bn, up 41 per cent year-on-year, supported by both operational scale and the depth of long-term OEM partnerships. The expansion of our engine portfolio across platforms such as LEAP, Trent 700, V2500, and GEnx has enabled us to respond to sustained global demand, particularly as airlines extend the life of existing fleets.

At the same time, long-term OEM agreements have provided a stable foundation for growth. These agreements secure more than 1,000 shop visit commitments over the coming years, give us clear visibility over future workload and allow us to plan capacity with greater certainty. This level of contractual depth is an important factor in maintaining consistency as the business scales.

Another contributing factor has been the continued development of our integrated model. By combining MRO and asset management, we are able to support customers across the full engine lifecycle while capturing value across multiple stages of the value chain.

What brings these elements together is the balance between demand and structure. Growth is supported by market demand and increasing engine volumes, while long-term agreements and lifecycle capabilities provide the stability needed to sustain that growth over time.

Read: UAE airspace returns to normal after precautionary restrictions lifted

Given that current geopolitical tensions and climate volatility are placing “increasing strain” on regional infrastructure, how has Sanad’s business model been refined to ensure the continued stability of its global aerospace platform?

At Sanad, resilience is built into the structure of the business rather than treated as a response to external conditions.

We operate a globally connected, export-driven platform, with approximately 99% of revenue generated from international markets, supported by a diversified customer base of more than 80 airlines, operators, and lessors worldwide

In parallel, we continue to invest in infrastructure with a long-term view, including the expansion of LEAP capabilities, the development of the GTF engine MRO center in Al Ain, and advanced testing infrastructure.

Together, these elements provide the diversification, visibility, and operational depth required to deliver consistently in a dynamic global environment.

Industry experts note that critical infrastructure is often “invisible when it works well” but becomes a national priority during times of conflict. What parallels do you see in the effort to make aerospace MRO infrastructure more resilient and “visible” as a strategic asset for Abu Dhabi?

MRO has traditionally operated behind the scenes, but its importance has become far more visible in recent years as global disruptions have highlighted the aviation sector’s reliance on reliable maintenance capacity.

The ability to maintain, repair, and extend the life of aircrafts is not simply a technical requirement. It underpins connectivity, trade flows, and the continuity of global transport systems. placing MRO within a broader strategic context.

For Abu Dhabi, investments in next-generation maintenance facilities, testing infrastructure, and advanced capabilities are contributing to the development of a more resilient and self-sustaining industrial base.

There is a clear shift underway, from MRO as a support function to a core component of national infrastructure, defined not only by scale, but by capability, integration, and long-term planning.

Sanad expanded its workforce to 855 employees and increased Emiratisation to 36 per cent in 2025. How does this focus on human capital intersect with the regional trend toward adopting AI-driven modelling and digital twins to manage complex systems?

As the aviation industry becomes more data-driven and technologically advanced, the importance of human capability becomes even more critical.

Sanad’s workforce reached 855 employees in 2025, with Emiratisation at 36 per cent, up from 23.1 per cent in 2022, reflecting sustained progress in building technical expertise within the UAE.

At the same time, we are embedding advanced technologies across our operations, including AI-enabled inspection tools, robotics, and digital planning systems, enhancing precision, reducing turnaround times, and improving decision-making.

A key differentiator is our close collaboration with leading OEM partners, including Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace, through which we deliver structured knowledge exchange and international training programmes. These include technical exchange initiatives and on-site training at OEM facilities, enabling our engineers to gain direct exposure to advanced technologies and global best practices.

This is shaping a workforce that combines deep technical expertise with digital fluency, supported by continued investment in training and partnerships with institutions such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, and Khalifa University.

Beyond capability building, this approach contributes to the wider development of the UAE’s knowledge-based economy, supporting job creation and strengthening local expertise. Ultimately, advanced technologies enhance efficiency, but it is skilled people, supported by global knowledge exchange, who apply them and ensure consistency in delivery.

Across the GCC, utilities are moving from “fix after failure” to “intervene before impact” using real-time data. Is Sanad implementing similar predictive maintenance or integrated asset management platforms to optimise the lifecycle of the more than 1,000 engine shop visits currently in its backlog?

Sanad is actively advancing toward a more predictive, lifecycle-driven operating model.

With more than 1,000 shop visits secured through long-term agreements, lifecycle management has become a central focus and has has become central to how we plan and operate at scale.

A key enabler of this is the integration of our asset management division with our MRO capabilities. Through this model, we are not only maintaining engines but actively managing their lifecycle through leasing, parts trading, and material solutions. This creates a more connected system where data, asset ownership, and technical expertise work together to improve planning, increase flexibility, and reduce downtime.

By combining this integrated model with data analytics and digital tools, we can anticipate maintenance requirements and improve planning in a market where supply chain constraints continue to impact turnaround times.

How is Sanad leveraging its global OEM partnerships and expanded technical workforce to lead the transition toward a more resilient, digitally optimised, and circular industrial ecosystem for the Middle East?

Sanad’s approach has been to position itself as a contributor to the evolution of the global aerospace industry, demonstrating that advanced capabilities can be developed from the UAE while remaining fully integrated into international supply chains.

With more than 39 years of experience and through long-standing partnerships with leading OEMs and global aviation players, Sanad has developed distinctive capabilities across key engine platforms, reinforced by its role in programmes such as V2500, Trent 700, GEnx, LEAP and GTF, which have evolved into a full lifecycle support platform covering maintenance, overhaul, repair, and testing.

These capabilities are supported by a broader ecosystem of partnerships, including collaboration with technology providers, global MRO players, and academic institutions, enabling continuous knowledge transfer and capability development.

By combining global integration with local capability building, Sanad is contributing to a more resilient and increasingly circular aerospace ecosystem, anchored in Abu Dhabi.