MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Jinwan branch enters operations

MTU Maintenance celebrated the official opening of MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Jinwan branch. This additional site is a branch of MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, a joint venture between MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airlines. It will focus on Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines and have a yearly capacity of up to 260 engine shop visits annually once ramped up. Combined with its main site, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, which lies just 20 kilometers away, it aims to be the largest maintenance repair and overhaul facility in the world, with a capacity of over 700 shop visits.

Zeng Yongchao, Vice General Manager of China Southern Airlines Group commented: “We are delighted to be celebrating the entry into service of MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Jinwan branch. With the coordinated layout of two factories, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai has established core advantages to seize the opportunity of strong growth in the global engine MRO market in the coming years.”

Lars Wagner, Chief Executive Officer, MTU Aero Engines stated: “This opening today is the next step in MTU Maintenance’s incredible growth story and cements our position as leading MRO provider for narrowbody engines in the Asian region. We made this timely investment in our network to increase capacity and provide the best possible service to our customers. We look forward to supporting the GTF network as the in service fleet continues to grow.”

After the test cell entered operations in 2023, the new shop buildings were built in only 18 months. The site now has over 30,000 square meters of additional, state-of-the-art facilities, including cleaning, non-destructive testing, inspection and repair areas as well as engine and module assembly and disassembly lines.

Jinwan branch will operate under MTU Maintenance Zhuhai’s management and authorizations, enter operations with an initial staff of around 280 employees and grow to around 600 engine experts, once fully ramped-up. “This construction was the result of great teamwork, international collaboration and the dedication of our employees,” says Gert Wagner, CEO and President, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai. “Thank you to the entire MTU team for your support, as well as our employees’ flexibility during construction. We greatly appreciate your continued dedication as we ramp up.”

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai services CFM56 and LEAP engines from CFM International, as well as International Aero Engines AG V2500 engines and Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G-JM engines. The company opened its own dedicated training center capable of training 100 mechanics per year in 2023. MTU Maintenance Zhuhai and MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Jinwan Branch benefit from their proximity to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Macao.