MAEL fuels further growth, creates 150 new jobs with new state-of-the-art facility at Birmingham Airport

MONARCH Aircraft Engineering (MAEL), the award-winning independent aircraft maintenance provider, today announces plans to significantly expand its operations with a new 110,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art maintenance facility, creating 150 new jobs, with the potential for a further 150, at Birmingham Airport in the UK.

Due to be completed and operational by the end of 2013, the new MAEL facility will incorporate industry-leading design and build standards and is the first UK hangar to have the capacity for Boeing 787 Dreamliner maintenance, with sufficient capacity for other wide body aircraft, such as Boeing 777, 747 and Airbus A350. The facility will be large enough to accommodate two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft or 10 narrow-body aircraft and will contain a number of component-repair and back shops.

The new facility at Birmingham Airport will complement MAEL’s existing heavy maintenance facilities in the UK at London Luton and Manchester Airports and supports the recent and continuing growth of MAEL’s high-quality aircraft engineering activities.

Today, some 60% of the world’s airline carriers outsource heavy maintenance work to create a global market worth $49 billion, and this is predicted to grow to $65 billion over the next 10 years (Source: Aerostrategy). MAEL’s own third-party (i.e. non-Monarch Airlines) maintenance activities have grown to 27% of business in 2012 from 18% in 2010, and over the next three years this is planned to increase to almost 40% of turnover and to consolidate MAEL’s position in the top 10 largest airframe maintenance and repair organisations (MRO) in Europe.

MAEL operates globally, supporting clients throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australia and North America, where it applies superior knowledge of maintaining both legacy fleets and new technology aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, for which it is one of only six worldwide Boeing-approved GoldCare providers. Current MAEL operations include an extensive global line maintenance network, engineering technical management team, component maintenance and spares trading organisation as well as a new purpose-built training academy.

As a division of The Monarch Group, the leading UK-based travel group, MAEL also provides high-quality aircraft maintenance and engineering services to Monarch Airlines’ fleet, contributing significantly to the scheduled leisure airline’s efficiency and reliability. Birmingham Airport is one of Monarch Airlines’ six UK bases, and during 2012 the airline also expanded its services from the airport.

Commenting on the new MRO facility at Birmingham Airport, Mick Adams, Managing Director of MAEL, said:

“Our new state-of-the-art hangar at Birmingham Airport combined with our existing facilities at London Luton and Manchester, and large line maintenance operation at London Gatwick, will ensure that MAEL is uniquely positioned to provide its international and domestic customers with a high-quality and leading maintenance and repair service in key, strategically-important MRO locations across the UK.

“MAEL’s leading MRO business is underpinned by the expertise of our people and our apprenticeship scheme is renowned within the industry for developing high-calibre aircraft engineers. We look forward next year to welcoming 150 talented people, with the potential for a further 150, to our new facility at Birmingham Airport, where they will complement our expertise across existing locations and join in our exciting plans for further growth.”

Iain Rawlinson, Executive Chairman of Monarch Group, commented:

“Monarch Aircraft Engineering is at the forefront of aviation maintenance technology, and The Monarch Group’s investment in a new state-of-the-art facility at Birmingham Airport is a signal of our intent to drive the further growth of this strategically-important division of the Group.

“The 150 new employment opportunities MAEL is creating with this new facility, with the potential for a further 150, underlines The Monarch Group’s position as a significant employer in the Midlands region and the contribution it can make to the UK industrial landscape. We are very pleased to be able to give this support to the region.”

Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport said:

“We are delighted to have been chosen as the Airport for Monarch Group’s UK engineering expansion, following the growth of its flight operation in Birmingham this year. The decision to create this state-of-the-art facility in the West Midlands demonstrates Monarch’s long-term commitment to the region, creating job opportunities for skilled engineers and young people looking to start a career in aircraft maintenance.”

Caroline Spelman, Member of Parliament for Meriden, which includes Birmingham Airport, said:

“I am delighted to hear about the engineering facility Monarch are investing in at Birmingham Airport. The creation of 300 jobs through this facility and the opportunities for apprentices is a vote of confidence in the airport and the great heritage in engineering our area has.”