His Excellency The Minister Of Transport And Logistic Services Launches Region’s Cutting-Edge Jet Propulsion Center And Celebrates Graduation Of Aircraft Technicians

His Excellency Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, inaugurated the new Jet Propulsion Center (JPC), in Saudia Technic’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Village. This center encompasses specialized facilities that maintain aircraft engines and their components. He also attended a commemoration of aircraft maintenance technicians graduation after their intensive training program. The event witnessed the presence of His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, the Director General of Saudia Group, and His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

His Excellency Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser stated, “The establishment of the JPC is a significant step in our initiatives to promote knowledge transfer, expand localization efforts, and enhance local content within the transportation and logistics sector. It is important to invest in Saudi talent which is a key pillar under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the National Aviation Strategy. This center, within the MRO Village, will bolster its maintenance capacity by implementing cutting-edge techniques while optimizing energy consumption. These measures are in alignment with the notable advancements and progress observed in the Kingdom’s aviation and air transport sector.”

He added, “I would like to express my gratitude for the support extended by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince, may God protect them.”

Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar highlighted, “Saudia Group is committed to enhancing the localization of the aviation industry by increasing local content and fostering its development. Saudia Technic has earned the trust of global aircraft manufacturers for diverse aircraft maintenance tasks. The JPC possesses significant capabilities that enhance the company’s regional standing in the aviation sector. Furthermore, the expansion of the center’s capacity seamlessly aligns with our efforts to grow the pool of qualified national talents capable of overseeing the center’s specialized technical operations in accordance with the highest global standards”.

It is worth noting that the center covers an area of 12,230 square meters and features a significant facility, the Test Cell Center, which is recognized as one of the world’s largest centers for engine testing. This center can withstand engine thrusts of up to 150,000 pounds and is equipped with cutting-edge technology to test the most prominent current engines, such as the Boeing 777’s GE90-115B engine. It also conducts tests on engine functionalities and verifies their operational indicators before their installation on aircraft. The JPC is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2024.

The recent graduating class of aircraft maintenance technicians is comprised of 42 technicians who completed an extensive two-year training program at Saudia Academy in collaboration with the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in the United States. This comprehensive program included theoretical and practical training, equipping participants with diverse technical skills such as actual engine repairs, testing to ensure their suitability, and learning aircraft structure maintenance and electronic devices.

During the event, the Public Investment Fund announced its investment in Saudia Technic to enable it to be a leading national company in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. This investment will support the creation of an MRO Village covering one million square meters to offer diverse aircraft maintenance services.