Sanad Expands Asia-Pacific Presence With AirAsia X Trent 700 Deal

Abu Dhabi-based Sanad has signed an MRO services agreement with Malaysian low-cost widebody operator AirAsia X.

Sanad, owned by the Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, will provide MRO services to support the Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines powering AirAsia X’s Airbus A330 fleet.

The Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database shows AirAsia X has an in-service fleet of 16 A330-300s with two more parked and a further one in storage. The aircraft range from 10 to 20 years old.

Sanad is the only independent MRO service center worldwide for Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, supporting more than a quarter of the global fleet. The company has completed over 250 engine inductions at its Abu Dhabi facilities.

“With a proven track record of supporting 25% of the global Trent 700 fleet, we bring unmatched expertise and reliability to our partners,” Sanad CEO Mansoor Janahi says.

“Working with one of Asia’s most prominent carriers not only expands our reach in a critical growth market but also reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class engine MRO solutions that maximize efficiency, safety, and performance for airlines worldwide,” he adds.

AirAsia X, which operates flights to 24 destinations across Asia and Australia, said the agreement will help enhance operational reliability, safety, and longevity of its fleet.

“Our Airbus A330 fleet is central to connecting the region with key global destinations, and ensuring their safety, efficiency, and reliability is critical to our success,” AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail says.