Mubadala’s aerospace engineering and leasing arm Sanad Group reported 39% y-o-y growth in its top line to reach AED 3.2 bn in 1H 2025, according to a press release (here and here). The robust performance was driven by the company’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and asset management segments.

Operational highlights: The firm’s orderbook swelled to a record AED 38 bn — out of which AED 5 bn were added in 1H 2025 as long-term agreements, the press release said. Sanad’s MRO division processed 90 engines during the period and is expected to process up to 210 by year-end, a 30% y-o-y increase from 2024. This growth was supported by Sanad both becoming the first Pratt & Whitney GTF MRO network provider in the SAMENA region and finalizing a handful of MRO services agreements with global aviation players.

REMEMBER– Sanad enhanced its asset management portfolio in 1H 2025 by acquiring a batch of Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines from Etihad Airways after the carrier retired its A330neo fleet.

Sanad’s MRO expansions come on the back of a growing global MRO market, which reached over USD 114 bn in 2024, according to data from consulting outfit Oliver Wyman. Aging fleets, aircraft malfunctions, and jet delivery delays were among the top growth drivers in the MRO market, while materials shortages were the primary disruptor for the aviation industry, according to a survey by the firm. MRO market growth is expected to grow annually by a steady average of 2.7% to reach USD 156 bn in 2035.

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