Sanad and Etihad Team Up in Aviation Deal

Etihad Airways has purchased 16 aircraft engines from Sanad, an aerospace engineering and leasing solutions wholly owned by Abu Dhabi's investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala). This deal is estimated to be worth AED 1.5 billion. In addition to supporting Etihad Airways' ongoing growth and the resilience of the Abu Dhabi aviation ecosystem, this deal between two of the city's most important aviation companies highlights the emirate's status as a major international aviation hub.

Among the next-generation aircraft engines included in the deal are nine GEnx engines for the Boeing 787, five GP7200 engines for the Airbus A380, one Trent XWB engine for the Airbus A350, and one V2500 engine for the Airbus A320. These engines power Etihad's modern fleet of airplanes. This agreement demonstrates the strong relationship between Sanad and Etihad Airways since the aviation sector is crucial to bolstering the non-oil trade and advancing economic development.

Strengthening Abu Dhabi’s Aviation Ecosystem

Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and group CEO of Sanad, highlighted the deal's significance: "This transaction reaffirms Sanad’s long-term commitment to proactive portfolio management and optimizing our assets while strategically investing in future growth initiatives. It highlights the strength of Abu Dhabi’s aviation sector and our dedication to driving its continued growth. Our collaboration with Etihad Airways reflects the remarkable growth the airline is experiencing, and we are proud to be supporting the airline’s ambitious 2030 journey. We are strengthening the synergies within Abu Dhabi’s thriving aviation ecosystem.”

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, commented: “The acquisition of these engines marks a key milestone for Etihad as we continue maintaining a world-class fleet that drives our growth, honouring Abu Dhabi’s rich aviation heritage. This transaction is also a reminder of the strong synergy between Sanad and Etihad Airways spanning two decades.”

A Legacy of Collaboration

Sanad and Etihad Airways began working together in 2003. Since then, Sanad has been instrumental in sustaining Etihad's fleet of aircraft engines, performing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services on more than 400 engines, including GEnx models that power Boeing aircraft and V2500 and Trent 700 engines that power the Airbus Aircraft family.

The partnership between the two Abu Dhabi businesses has been further cemented by Sanad's provision of engine overhaul support to Etihad Airways since introducing the V2500 and Trent 700 engine maintenance capabilities in 2012. Serving more than 30 international airline customers and all major engine manufacturers, Sanad has become the largest and most prominent independent engine repair provider in the MENA region, thanks mainly to this long-standing cooperation.

What started as a local partnership has now spread throughout the world. Over AED 6 billion has been spent on MRO transactions between Sanad and Etihad Airways, demonstrating a partnership based on mutual respect, operational excellence, and a dedication to long-term success. This partnership became more vital when the Sanad Capital division offered more funding in 2011. In 2013, it was extended to include more spare-part leasing for components. Over AED 3 billion has been spent on finance deals between Sanad and Etihad.

Empowering Global and Local Growth

Sanad continues to be a significant player in providing integrated maintenance solutions to top airlines and OEMs worldwide, building on over 37 years of operational excellence and reliable alliances with more than 30 top airlines on all six continents. As a fundamental component of its all-inclusive products, Sanad is dedicated to creating solutions that satisfy the changing expansion needs of its international and UAE-based customers, demonstrating its commitment to meeting the demands of the aviation sector everywhere. This most recent engine deal, valued at over AED 1.5 billion, demonstrates Sanad's capacity to negotiate the market while offering its partners strategic value.