MTU Aero Engines has started construction on a new repair facility for MTU Maintenance Serbia, expanding its MRO network.

The new site in Nova Pazova near Belgrade will focus exclusively on the repair of commercial engine parts. MTU said it planned to start operations at the end of 2022.

“We welcome MTU’s commitment to our country,” said Serbia’s president Aleksandar Vučić (pictured above), who attended a groundbreaking ceremony. “I am convinced that MTU, as a global engine specialist, can become a key part of a strong aviation industry in Serbia. We are supporting this by expanding our infrastructure and investing in the training of highly qualified specialists.”

Thomas Jarzombek, the German government’s aerospace coordinator and a member of the German parliament, commented: “The internationalisation of the German aviation industry is an important pillar of the industry. MTU’s commitment is proof of the confidence that German companies have in Serbia as a business location.

“[The] groundbreaking is a pleasing example that despite the difficult conditions in aviation caused by the Corona pandemic, planned projects continue to be realised.”

MTU Aero Engines’ chief program officer Michael Schreyögg said: “Commercial maintenance business accounts for more than 60 per cent of our business volume – and the trend is rising. The new facility in Serbia will add efficiency to our high-performance network of MRO locations in Europe, Asia and North America.

“The ramp-up of this additional capacity in Serbia is an essential element in our ability to offer competitive services in the global market. MTU stands for quality and reliability among partners and customers. The basis for this is professional training and development, which has been the focus of our efforts in Serbia since the beginning of our project. We greatly appreciate the excellent support and partnership of the Serbian government.”