Rapid fleet expansion across the Middle East is accelerating investment in MRO infrastructure, but panellists at MRO Middle East this week agreed that capacity, supply chains and workforce readiness must evolve just as quickly if the region is to fully capitalise on its growth opportunity.

Speaking during a panel on strategic infrastructure developments, industry leaders highlighted how new hangars, engine shops and component capabilities are reshaping the competitive landscape – particularly around Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) – while also exposing persistent constraints in materials, talent and engine capacity.

Ziad Al-Hazmi, chief executive at Lufthansa Technik Middle East, said “strong fleet growth across the region is both an opportunity and a stress test for MRO providers.” While demand continues to rise, supply chain disruption remains a critical bottleneck, particularly for materials. He added that “engine MRO capacity is likely to require the greatest expansion over the coming years, even as regional capability continues to strengthen.”

From an airframe MRO perspective, Fraser Currie, chief strategy and commercial officer at DAE Engineering, pointed to continued growth at Joramco and the importance of long-term planning. Investment in composite repair capability is helping to reduce customer downtime, while consistency of execution and multi-line contracts are becoming increasingly central to customer relationships. Currie also noted that “the UAE’s aviation boom is helping to attract new engineering talent, supporting future operational efficiency.”

Regional growth is also drawing new entrants. Mahesh Kumar, chief executive at Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), said “the Middle East represents a strategic expansion opportunity, particularly in airframe MRO.” However, he stressed that close collaboration with OEMs and industry stakeholders “remains essential if airframe providers are to scale successfully and sustainably.”

On the engine side, Tej Mehta, group head of strategy said SANAD’s platform and project portfolio position it well to manage rising demand across both new-generation and mature engines. He added that the company is “focused on becoming a fully integrated engine MRO through partnerships that directly enhance efficiency and capacity.”

Beyond bricks and mortar, panellists agreed that workforce development will be just as critical as physical infrastructure. Investment in academies, university partnerships and structured training programmes was repeatedly cited as essential to addressing long-standing skills shortages and improving retention. Al-Hazmi warned that without continued upskilling and development, experienced talent risks being lost to other industries.

Digitalisation also emerged as a common enabler. Predictive maintenance and advanced data analytics were highlighted as key tools that can help MROs better manage capacity, improve planning and mitigate disruption as demand continues to rise.

Looking ahead to 2030, panellists broadly agreed that engine MRO and heavy airframe maintenance are likely to attract the largest share of infrastructure investment in the Middle East. While challenges around supply chains and skills persist, the consensus was clear: momentum is building, partnerships are deepening, and the region is positioning itself as a long-term global MRO hub rather than a short-term capacity release valve.