Multinational aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity company, Thales Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar Airways to establish an Inflight Entertainment (IFE) service and maintenance facility based in Doha, Qatar.

The new centre will provide Qatar Airways with faster access to Thales’ complete range of IFE services, including repair, spare distribution, technical assistance, line maintenance, and help the airline in its plan to serve more aircrafts and lead in operational excellence.

Thales also claims that the creation of the IFE facility will align with the Qatar Vison 2030 plan to transform Qatar into an advanced, sustainable, society. By enabling growth in the aerospace MRO sector and creating high-skilled jobs for Qatar, it will help the nation meet its goal.

“It is vitally important that we continue to explore new ways to ensure our technology and capabilities are at the cutting edge of modern aviation. I am confident that our partnership with Thales will enable this to happen,” said, Ali Al Saadi, chief MRO officer of Qatar Airways.

The MoU, while not a legally binding agreement, is built off the back of a long-standing relationship between the two companies, as Thales has worked as Qatar Airways’ main provider for aircraft services for years.

Thomas Got, vice president of aviation global services at Thales, said: “Our partnership with Qatar Airways is growing stronger. This MoU underscores our shared commitment to even greater operational excellence and lays the groundwork for developing a local service hub and expertise in Doha, to support the airline’s future growth ambitions.”