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 — dubbed as 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.

SOUNDS 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.

MORE FROM THE FORUM-

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

The agreements include:

  • Localizing components making: An MoU was signed 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.
  • Expand MRO support for airports: NIDC inked an agreement to cooperate with airport operator Cluster2 to develop specialized aircraft maintenance centers in the Kingdom, according to a statement.
  • Localizing aircraft recycling: NIDC inked an MoU to cooperate with Saudi firm 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.
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