Canada-based GAL Aviation has joined hands with Mena Aerospace Enterprises to set up a JV firm in Bahrain which will provide comprehensive services for corporate aircraft and VIP airliner interiors design, refurbishment and installation.

A member of the GAL group, the company specializes in the computer-assisted design, engineering, manufacture and certification of cabin components for business, private and VIP aircraft, for both retrofit and ‘green’ installation.

Announcing this at the Dubai Airshow, GAL Aviation said the new venture GAL Mena will establish fabrication and design capabilities as well as carry out training in the particular trades associated with this activity.

Ralph Eisenschmid, Mena Aerospace Enterprises group CEO said: "We are very excited to be involved in the establishment of the region’s first business aircraft interior refurbishment center."

"GAL Aviation brings a wealth of experience to the venture which, when coupled with Mena's regional presence, will provide a new level of service and expertise to the region’s aircraft owners and operators," Eisenschmid stated.

Marc St-Hilaire, GAL aviation partner and VP of Business Development, said the demand for these products and services was very strong.

"Since GAL’s team has a proven track record in working in these areas, we felt it was a natural evolution to join forces with Mena Aerospace to provide the operational platform and regional network from which to deliver these services," he remarked.

This operation will focus on aircraft cabin refurbishment, reconfiguration and warranty programs. This complements our operation in Canada, where we design and produce new aircraft cabin components for major business jet manufacturers.”

The duo said GAL Mena will be operational by the second quarter of 2012.

The services will be provisioned from purpose-built GAL Mena facilities in Bahrain and at its hangar at the Bahrain International Airport, and supported by GAL Aviation’s production center in Canada, it added.-TradeArabia News Service