News DeskDubai, UAE – The French aerospace industry is making a strong collective push into the Middle East’s rapidly expanding maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market, with 21 companies gathering under the French Pavilion at AIME/MRO Middle East on February 4–5, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Organized under the French Fab banner, the pavilion will spotlight advanced, lower-impact MRO technologies and services designed to meet the region’s fast-evolving aviation requirements, including predictive maintenance, faster turnaround times (TATs), improved component availability, and reduced carbon footprints.
The showcase comes as Middle East MRO demand continues its upward trajectory. Regional spending is projected to reach $16 billion by 2025 and exceed $20 billion by 2035, supported by a commercial fleet expected to grow 5.1% annually to around 2,600 aircraft, representing 6.7% of the global fleet. Growth in air traffic and ambitious national aviation strategies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are key drivers behind this expansion.
Major regional players are already scaling up. Etihad Engineering recently launched “Al Massar” (“the path”), a strategic plan aimed at doubling revenue by 2030, backed by significant hangar expansion in Abu Dhabi and a broader portfolio of technical capabilities.
French aerospace firms are deeply embedded in this growth through a series of high-profile partnerships. EPCOR, part of AFI KLM E&M, signed a long-term maintenance agreement with Riyadh Air covering APS5000 auxiliary power units for its Boeing 787 fleet. Safran Test Cells (Safran Aero Boosters) secured a contract from Sanad (Mubadala) to design and build an engine test cell at Sanad’s upcoming GTF MRO Center in Al Ain.
In Dubai, Satys Aerospace and ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East have opened a dedicated aircraft painting facility at Dubai South (DWC). Meanwhile, Thales, Emirates, and Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) are co-developing an AI-powered system that can reduce holding patterns by up to 40%, lowering fuel burn and improving on-time performance.
“France’s global reputation in aerospace, paired with strong local integration, makes our companies ideal partners for the Middle East’s future-focused MRO landscape,” said Axel Baroux, Managing Director, Business France Middle East. He added that French companies are already delivering “operational excellence, shorter TATs, and greener maintenance” across active regional projects.
The delegation spans the full aircraft lifecycle. In component MRO and lifecycle services, participants include REVIMA, Domusa, AMC Aviation, Tarmac Aerosave, EOLE Aero, and Air Châteaudun. Cabin and interiors specialists such as ImaginAir, BT2i Group, SELA, and Latécoère are focusing on passenger experience upgrades.
On the equipment and systems side, ABC, Techman-Head, TEI, Usimat Sermees, and Manitou will present tooling, test systems, and ground support solutions. Aquarese Industries and GMI Aero are showcasing surface treatment and composite repair capabilities. Digital and logistics innovation is represented by AirInt Services and SkinPack Solutions, offering cabin-maintenance software, digital twin applications, and optimized kitting, while Prodex Aerospace Solutions emphasizes aircraft-on-ground (AOG) response and aerospace logistics.
Together, the French Pavilion participants aim to position France as a long-term partner in shaping a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable MRO ecosystem for the Middle East’s next phase of aviation growth.
