An aviation infrastructure spree: The General Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) launched a new 1.2 mn sqm aviation industrial city at Jeddah’s Modon Oasis, according to a statement during the Aerospace Connect Forum. No investment ticket or timeline for the project have been disclosed.

The details: The city, Aero Park I, will include a wide array of ready-built factories equipped to accommodate several firms in the aviation sector, the statement says. The cluster is set to be situated next to King Abdulaziz International Airport and Jeddah Islamic Port.

The first players: The Kingdom granted the first industrial licenses for aircraft maintenance and repair operations (MRO) to Middle East Aircraft Engines Company and Saudia Technic, according to a statement. The services will include jet and drone maintenance and repair, navigational and electric systems servicing, and all-around aircraft overhaul services, SPA reports.

SOUND FAMILIAR? PIF invested an undisclosed sum into Saudia Group subsidiary Saudia Technic to build a Jeddah MRO village back in December 2023. The new cluster was set to include a state-of-the-art jet propulsion center and an engine test cell to support the operationalization of next-generation wide-body and narrow-body aircraft engines.

THERE’S MORE NEWS FROM THE FORUM-

A slew of agreements from NIDC: The National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) inked several MoUs during the Aerospace Connect Forum in an aim to boost national industrial capabilities and develop in line with Saudi’s 2030 Vision, Ashraq Business reports.

The agreements include:

  • An MoU with local manufacturer AIC Steel and Japan’s Toho to localize the sponge titanium metal melting and pipe industry used in the MRO process, according to a statement.
  • An agreement to cooperate with airport operator Cluster2 to develop specialized aircraft maintenance centers in the Kingdom, according to a statement.
  • An agreement with Jabben and Portugal-based Jetbase to offer the necessary support to localize aircraft maintenance and overhaul for military aircraft at Jubail Naval Airport, according to a statement.
  • An MoU with International Airport Solutions to advance the level of connectivity with technical partners to localize aircraft recycling services and facilitate the necessary licenses for such operations, according to a statement.
  • An MoU with Kingdom Aero Industries and US-based Doroni Aerospace for the localization of the vertical take-off and landing sports light aircraft sector, according to a statement.
  • An MoU with Germany’s Autogyro and local firm Life Shield Aerospace to localize and transfer the manufacturing technology of taxi and helicopter aircrafts, according to a statement.
  • An agreement to work with Italy’s Leonardo to develop the local helicopter industry and vertical aviation sector, according to a statement.

IN OTHER AVIATION NEWS-

IBM agreed to set up an AI-powered enterprise for PIF-backed Riyadh Air to improve the airline’s guest and employee experiences, according to a statement. Riyadh Air will integrate IBM’s portfolio of AI services — including watsonx and IBM Consulting solutions — to streamline operational efficiency. The new AI-driven platform will be developed with a focus on regulatory compliance, privacy, and data security to optimize flight services and boost intelligence customer interactions.

REMEMBER- The airline is slated to launch its operations in 3Q 2025. It is rumored to be intalks with Boeing and Airbus for an order of up to 50 additional widebody jets as it looks to expand its fleet.

Tags: