MUSCAT: A partnership between Oman’s Mach Aerospace International and Indonesia’s GMF AeroAsia is targeting investment of about RO 25.4 million in aircraft maintenance, engineering training and component manufacturing, as Oman seeks to develop an aviation industry serving domestic and overseas markets.
Preliminary studies put the combined investment requirement at approximately $66 million, said Dr Abdullah bin Masoud al Harthy, Chairman of Mach Aerospace International. The proposed aircraft structural components factory accounts for targeted capital investment of RO 12.6 million, he told Oman News Agency.
The projects follow agreements signed by GMF AeroAsia with the Civil Aviation Authority and Mach Aerospace International during the authority’s investment forum. They aim to combine the Indonesian company’s technical expertise with local investment and development capabilities.
Al Harthy said the partnership would broaden Oman’s aviation sector beyond transport and airline operations by establishing capabilities in maintenance, repair and overhaul, technical training and aircraft component manufacturing.
Preparatory, technical and organisational work has begun on an aircraft wheel and brake maintenance centre, with the next phase dependent on securing the necessary approvals and meeting regulatory requirements.
Work is also under way on an aviation engineering academy, including its programmes, curricula, facilities and accreditation requirements. Phased implementation is scheduled to begin in 2027.
The aircraft structural components manufacturing project, the largest and most technologically advanced of the three initiatives, is expected to take between 12 and 18 months to implement after final requirements are completed.
Al Harthy said total investment could increase as manufacturing capacity, training programmes and supporting services expand.
Oman’s location between Asia, the Middle East and Africa, together with its airports, ports and logistics infrastructure, provides a base for serving regional and international customers, he said. He also cited the country’s stability, investment environment and plans to expand the aviation sector.
The National Aviation Strategy 2040 prioritises private investment, aviation services, local maintenance capabilities and workforce development, supporting the proposed projects, he added.
The wheel and brake centre would initially serve airlines operating in Oman before seeking customers across the GCC, the wider Middle East, Africa and nearby markets.
Aircraft wheels and brakes require frequent maintenance, making the proposed facility an opportunity to retain spending that would otherwise go to overseas service providers, Al Harthy said.
He said local maintenance capacity could shorten turnaround times, develop specialised Omani expertise and create demand for spare parts, equipment, logistics and technical support.
The centre would be developed to meet the Civil Aviation Authority’s requirements. Relevant international approvals, including European Union Aviation Safety Agency Part-145 certification, would be pursued as its service scope expands, subject to the necessary approvals.
The engineering academy would train Omani engineers and technicians to international standards, with programmes designed around the needs of the maintenance and manufacturing projects and the wider labour market.
Its initial focus would be aircraft engineering and maintenance training in the B1 and B2 streams, alongside specialised programmes covering aircraft structures, systems and components.
Training capacity would depend on facility design and accreditation requirements, with enrolment increased gradually as programmes expand.
Mach Aerospace International is working with GMF AeroAsia to transfer training expertise and develop programmes meeting Oman’s regulatory requirements. The academy would also seek relevant international approvals, including Part-147 accreditation, subject to official authorisation.
The manufacturing project’s first phase would establish capabilities in computer numerical control machining, sheet metal fabrication, structural parts, aircraft components and subassemblies.
It would also include surface treatment, non-destructive testing, metrology and engineering tooling. The product range would expand progressively in line with approvals, supply agreements and the requirements of aircraft manufacturers and international customers.
Al Harthy said the objective was to develop Oman’s ability to export aviation services and manufactured products while reducing reliance on imported expertise and components.
Depending on the scope of operations, the factory would seek certifications and accreditations including AS9100, Nadcap and ISO 9001 to support its entry into international aerospace supply chains.
Potential markets include the Gulf, the wider Middle East, Africa and Asia, with further expansion dependent on customer requirements and regulatory approvals.
The projects would support Oman Vision 2040 through economic diversification, private investment, advanced manufacturing and the development of specialised skills, Al Harthy said.
Local economic benefits would include investment in facilities, equipment and technology, alongside engineering, technical and administrative employment for Omanis.
The projects would also create opportunities for local suppliers in transport, storage, information technology, facilities management, equipment supply, training and engineering services.
Small and medium enterprises could provide calibration, safety, administrative and other support services, helping build a domestic supply chain capable of moving into more specialised technical and industrial activities.
Al Harthy said the partnership was intended to establish a connected base of maintenance, training and manufacturing capabilities, supported by technology transfer and workforce development.
The longer-term ambition was to make Oman a competitive centre for aviation services and industries serving local, regional and international customers, he added.
GMF AeroAsia, part of the Garuda Indonesia group, specialises in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul. Its origins date to 1949, and it became an independent company in 2002. Its workforce includes engineers, technicians and other aviation maintenance specialists.
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