The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has granted approval to ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East’s facility in Dubai to carry out heavy maintenance checks on the Embraer EMB-135/145 series (Legacy 600/650 series), including checks up to 192 months.

ExecuJet operates a 15,344 sqm advanced MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.

The facility has already begun servicing its first two clients, with their Legacy 600 aircraft undergoing 96-month and 144-month airframe maintenance checks. Additionally, one aircraft’s landing gear has been shipped to the United States for overhaul.

Already certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for heavy maintenance on Legacy aircraft, ExecuJet’s new SACAA certification was facilitated by the validation of its EASA credentials. This makes SACAA the 18th civil aviation regulator to approve the Dubai facility.

Nick Weber, regional vice president of ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East, attributed the new business to the growing presence of Legacy aircraft in the Middle East and ExecuJet’s status as both an Embraer and Rolls-Royce authorised service centre. Certain engine manufacturers require MRO providers to hold such authorisations for engine maintenance.

Weber said: “As business and trade expand between the Middle East and Africa, we foresee increased opportunities to serve operators from the neighbouring African region.”

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