Monarch's new Midlands MRO

Monarch Aircraft Engineering (MAEL), the independent aircraft maintenance provider, is to build a new 110,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art maintenance facility at Birmingham Airport, creating 150 new jobs and potentially an additional 150.

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 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 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. 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.

MAEL operates globally, supporting clients throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australia and North America, where it applies its 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.

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."

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.”