Business & Finance Club - Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (Adat), the Middle East's largest independent maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider, signed a five-year agreement yesterday to conduct airframe heavy maintenance for Thomas Cook's Boeing 757 fleet, the company announced yesterday.

Adat is part of Mubadala Aerospace's global MRO network, which includes SR Technics. Both Adat and SR Technics provide a complete maintenance solution for Thomas Cook Aircraft Engineering in Europe and the Middle East.

"This important agreement reinforces Thomas Cook as a key customer to Adat and the wider Mubadala MRO network. We've built an exceptional working relationship with Thomas Cook over time and collaborate on a number of maintenance initiatives. The Boeing 757 maintenance programme is a great example of our on-going collaboration," Jeremy Chan, CEO of Adat, said at the signing ceremony.

"Adat shares Thomas Cook's unwavering commitment to quality, safety and on-time performance," Chan added. "Adat offers reliable turn-around times along with the highest-level of maintenance services that enhances the cost-effectiveness of its customers operations."

Lucas Mollan, managing director, Thomas Cook Aircraft Engineering, said: "We continue to place our confidence in both Adat and SR Technics as our maintenance partners due to their remarkable track record and high quality standards. Throughout the years, Adat has continued to expand their maintenance expertise and capabilities to keep our Boeing 757 fleet flying."

This deal is further recognition of the growth and commercial success of Adat's operations in the GCC region and internationally. It comes ahead of other major announcements the company will be making at Farnborough International Airshow, an event attended by global industry leaders and closely watched by business commentators.

Global ambitions

Adat and its sister company the Zurich-based SR Technics work in close alignment to drive Mub-adala Aerospace's plans to establish a global MRO network centered in Abu Dhabi that covers the entire MRO value chain including engine, component and airframe capability.

Both companies work in partnership with Mubadala Aerospace's Sanad Aero Solutions which provides leasing and management of spare components and engines to the global airline industry.

Sanad Aero Solutions provides innovative opportunities for airlines to monetise existing assets, secure inventory solutions required to support fleet growth and access a broad spectrum of world class MRO and technical service solutions offered by Mubadala Aerospace's global MRO network. Under the agreement, Adat will begin heavy maintenance work on the first seven of the 19 aircraft in the winter of 2010-11.