Faith Nyasuguta
Ethiopian Airlines has officially launched Africa’s largest aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, marking a major milestone in the continent’s aviation industry. The state-of-the-art hub, located in Addis Ababa, was inaugurated on July 22, 2025, and is valued at $150 million. It features two wide-body aircraft hangars, a fully equipped advanced component maintenance workshop, and a massive 15,000 square meter automated warehouse.
The new facility is set to revolutionize aviation maintenance in Africa. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said the project reflects the airline’s commitment to enhancing aviation infrastructure in Africa and providing world-class service standards. “This expansion is not just about our airline, but about supporting aviation growth across the continent,” he stated during the launch.
The wide-body hangars significantly increase Ethiopian’s airframe maintenance capacity by 50%, allowing the airline to service multiple aircraft types simultaneously, including Boeing 777s and Airbus A350s. The new component workshop adds over 170 repair capabilities, handling everything from landing gear overhauls for Boeing 737s and Q400 turboprops to advanced avionics and hydraulic systems.
The automated warehouse – capable of storing tens of thousands of spare parts – features an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), which reduces human error and speeds up maintenance operations.
This MRO expansion brings the total number of hangars in Ethiopian’s arsenal to eight and positions Addis Ababa as a competitive global hub for aircraft servicing. Ethiopian MRO Services already holds certifications from the U.S Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), enabling it to service international fleets. With this new investment, the facility is poised to attract clients from across Africa, the Middle East, and even parts of Europe.
The new hub is not just an infrastructural achievement – it is a strategic move within Ethiopian Airlines’ long-term Vision 2035 plan, which aims to double the carrier’s fleet and expand its global footprint. The airline is also investing in aviation education, ensuring that thousands of skilled technicians and engineers are trained and absorbed into the workforce. This commitment supports both Ethiopia’s economic development and the broader goal of African self-sufficiency in aviation services.
Across the continent, airlines have traditionally had to rely on costly and time-consuming overseas maintenance, often in Europe or the Gulf. This new facility drastically cuts those costs and turnaround times, helping African carriers operate more efficiently and competitively.
The hub’s opening comes at a time of growing air traffic demand in Africa, fueled by economic growth, infrastructure development, and regional integration efforts. By providing in-continent maintenance solutions, Ethiopian Airlines is helping to build a more sustainable and independent aviation ecosystem.
With this bold step, Ethiopian Airlines is not only reinforcing its position as Africa’s leading carrier but also creating new pathways for growth in the region’s aviation sector. The Addis Ababa MRO hub is more than a facility – it’s a symbol of Africa’s rising ambitions in global aviation.
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