Ethiopian sets the bar with first B787 engine repair in Africa
October 13, 2018 – Ethiopian Maintenance & Engineering Services, a subsidiary of pan-African carrier Ethiopian, has become the first maintenance and repair organisation in Africa to repair the GEnx engine, which powers the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Ethiopian completed modular repairs on the GEnx this week making the facility one of very few GEnx engine repair shops in US engine maker General Electric’s MRO global network.
“We are delighted to be the first MRO service provider in Africa with capability to perform modular level repair on the GEnx Engine, the latest GE engine which powers the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft, the Boeing 787. We are making additional investments to enhance our capability so as to fully overhaul of the GEnx engine before mid2019,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam.
Modular repair means that the centre can replace modules or engine sub-assemblies and is a step towards full engine component repair.
“This newly-developed capability will enable us to overhaul the GEnx engines of not just our Boeing 787 fleet but also those of other airlines in the world operating Boeing 787 aircraft powered by the GEnx engine. I would like to extend my gratitude to General Electric for entrusting us with the responsibility to overhaul the GEnx engines at our maintenance facility and to congratulate to our MRO team for this great accomplishment and their continued hard work and dedication,” GebreMariam added.
Ethiopian Maintenance & Engineering Services performs airframe, engine, component and line maintenance under the approval of Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. Its base maintenance facilities have the FAA PART 145 Repair Station approval since 1968 and are currently approved for the maintenance of B737, B757, B767, B777, B787, Q400 and A350 aircraft models. Ethiopian MRO also holds EASA PART 145 approval for both base and line maintenance at Addis Ababa for B737NG, B757, B767 and B777. The base facility also has Boeing and Bombardier accreditation as approved service facility.