MTU Maintenance Zhuhai has broken ground on its Jinwan branch, marking the start of construction of a second facility for engine disassembly, assembly and testing for joint venture partners MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airlines.

The new facility will have an initial capacity of 260 shop visits, focusing on Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM and V2500 engines. It will enter operations in 2024 and operate under MTU Maintenance Zhuhai and its licenses and approvals.

“We are honoured to be celebrating this milestone with distinguished guests today, on the first day of the Zhuhai Airshow,” said MTU Maintenance Zhuhai’s chairman Li Tongbin. “This groundbreaking symbolises the start of the next phase of our collaboration and partnership with MTU and sets the course for further growth and success.”

Construction on the 150,000sq m plot of land begins with a 65,000 lbf test cell, MTU said. “We are delighted to be breaking ground on schedule today,” said MTU Aero Engines’ chief program officer Michael Schreyögg. “At MTU, we believe in the future of the aviation industry and the growth and strength of the narrowbody engine market in Asia. As such, we are committed to the expansion of our network and excited to be moving forward with this project.”

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai is also in the process of planning the construction of a training centre at its original site in Zhuhai where up to 150 students per year can be trained from 2023 onwards. “Through this training centre we will be investing in our most important asset, our staff,” said MTU Maintenance Zhuhai’s president and CEO Jaap Beijer. “We will be able to meet our ambitious staff ramp-up needs and guarantee the high quality of education we require.”

Upon completion, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Jinwan will grow to a workforce of around 600, in addition to MTU Maintenance Zhuhai’s current workforce of 1,100 employees.