Royal Jordanian said it has signed up Spanish Aertec and local Consolidated Consultants for Engineering and Environment for the design and supervision of its new hangar to be built at Queen Alia International Airport.

The new hangar is being built as part of RJ’s growth and expansion strategy. Once ready it will handle “A check” level and unscheduled maintenance works, such as change of engine, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), landing gear and others, for all RJ aircraft models, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliners scheduled to start joining the fleet at the beginning of 2014.

The design of the new 20,500 sq m-area aircraft hangar is slated for completion by year end. The construction will start early next year and is expected to finish in December, said the joint venture of Aertec & CC, the two international firms specialized in designing aircraft hangars.

RJ president/CEO Hussein Dabbas signed the contract with Aertec CEO Antonio Gomez and Consolidated Consultants CEO Said Abujaber.

Dabbas said the maintenance facility will make Jordan a key aircraft maintenance hub in the region, along with the Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Company (JorAMCo) and Jordan Airmotive Limited Company (JALCo).

He added that the new RJ maintenance facility will enable Royal Jordanian to maintain the highest safety standards, as well as keep the existing and future fleet in the best possible condition.

According to Dabbas, performing “A checks” and unscheduled maintenance at the new facility will save the airline around JD1 million annually, particularly that such maintenance will rely on the RJ manpower and not resort to outsourcing.

Dabbas added that the new hangar will enhance the RJ competitive edge; hence, with building the new hangar, the airline has a greater opportunity to increase technical handling and aircraft maintenance of other airlines’ aircraft.

Gomez said: “This project adds to Aertec’s extensive track record of successfully completed projects in the aviation and aerospace industry, and strengthens our expanding operation in the Middle East.”

Abujaber said: “We are glad to see RJ - our national carrier - take steps to improve its operations and provide the highest level of services and safety to its passengers and fleet by upgrading its facilities and adding new world-class standard service and maintenance facilities.

"This will have a positive impact on the national economy in general," he added.

Part of the new hangar will also include an engine build-up unit consisting of airframe parts, accessories, hardware and electrical items.

On completion, RJ will start running maintenance activities. The facility will be able to accommodate one wide-bodied plus two narrow-bodied aircraft at a time.-TradeArabia News Service