Middle East MRO Adds FAA Certification, Capabilities

DUBAI—VD Gulf, part of the Volga-Dnepr Group, received FAA maintenance certification for its facility in Sharjah, UAE, on Dec. 9, 2021, enabling it to provide MRO for U.S. registered Boeing 737 and 747-400 aircraft. It is working on getting approval to include 747-8 freighters, which it hopes to achieve by the beginning of the second quarter, says Oleg Novak, VD Gulf’s COO.

The MRO provider has not secured any contracts for N-registered aircraft yet, but Novak says it has signed letters of intent and is “in the process of finalizing terms and conditions.”

In addition, it plans to add Airbus A330-200 and -300 base maintenance services, which Novak expects to receive mid-year. It already services A320ceo/neo aircraft.

As it expands its services, it simultaneously plans to introduce processes that should reduce water, paper and energy use. Specifically, it has pledged to reduce waste consumption by 40% and energy usage by 30% by 2030.

Novak says VD Gulf also plans to use green packaging—from environmentally friendly boxes to padding—for parts.

Most MROs that service commercial aircraft took a financial hit during the pandemic when flying decreased, but in the case of VD Gulf, it says it navigated the pandemic “without many difficulties,” largely because Volga-Dnepr group’s cargo airlines were successful during the pandemic.

Its two widebody slots are full. “We are selling base maintenance slots for the fourth quarter. It’s a bit easier for narrowbodies because we can accommodate eight at the same time,” says Novak.

In addition to the FAA certification, VD Gulf has 18 other civil aviation authority approvals, including EASA, Bermuda, Saudi and UK.