Strategic Partnerships to Enhance MRO Capabilities
Embraer, a global leader in aerospace manufacturing, has strategically expanded its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network in the Asia-Pacific region. This expansion is achieved through new agreements with SIA Engineering (Philippines) Corporation (SIAEC) and Fokker Services Group (FSG), enhancing support for the Embraer E-Jet and E2 series of regional jets. These partnerships are set to provide comprehensive engineering support services across the region, where several carriers already operate Embraer E-Jets, with additional deliveries planned over the coming years.
The collaboration with SIAEC, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines Engineering, will enable its facilities at Clark Airport (CRK) in the Philippines to become the pioneering Embraer Authorized Service Center in Asia-Pacific tailored for the E2 family of aircraft. Established as an authorized service center for Embraer’s first-generation E-Jets since 2017, SIAEC now extends its services to include the advanced E2 series, boasting three hangars dedicated to MRO services at Clark.
Frank Stevens, Vice President of Global MRO Centers for Embraer Services & Support, expressed his enthusiasm about the agreement, “SIAEC has been an instrumental partner for Embraer in the region over the past years. This new agreement elevates our strategic relationship as the E2 fleet expands, marking a significant step forward in our long-term partnership.”
Jeremy Yew, SIAEC’s Senior Vice President of Base Maintenance, also highlighted the importance of this extended partnership, “We are delighted to bolster our longstanding relationship with Embraer and play a crucial role in their growth across the Asia-Pacific region. We are committed to delivering high-quality and efficient base maintenance services for the E2 fleet at our Clark facility.”
Fokker Services Group Joins as a New Authorized Service Center
Simultaneously, Fokker Services Asia, a subsidiary of Fokker Services Group (FSG), has been appointed as another Embraer Authorized Service Center. Operating MRO services from five global locations, including Seletar International Airport (XSP) in Singapore, the FSG facility will primarily focus on the E190 aircraft. This partnership not only enhances FSG’s capabilities in the region but also allows Embraer to further strengthen and expand its support network in this rapidly growing market.
Emphasizing the significance of this collaboration, Frank Stevens remarked, “We are thrilled to partner with Fokker Services Asia. This collaboration not only offers a strategic additional location for our customers but also enhances our Authorized Service Center footprint in the Asia-Pacific.” Leon Kouters, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at FSG, and Thomas Kennedy, Managing Director of Fokker Services Asia, both expressed their excitement about meeting Embraer’s stringent requirements and the opportunity to start a comprehensive new line of work for Embraer aircraft maintenance in the region.
Both agreements were finalized and announced at the Aviation Week MRO Asia Pacific 2024 event held in Singapore from September 24 to 26, 2024. This development is a critical part of Embraer’s strategy to expand its presence and service offerings in the Asia-Pacific, a region experiencing rapid growth in air travel demand.
Regional Aviation Growth and Market Outlook
The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing significant growth in its aviation sector, with Embraer’s E-Jet fleets comprising both the first-generation E-Jets and the next-generation E2 series. Airlines based in Singapore, Australia, India, Myanmar, Japan, and China are already operating these aircraft. For instance, Scoot, the budget arm of Singapore Airlines, has placed a firm order for nine E190-E2 jets, with two already in service and additional deliveries expected by the end of 2024. Similarly, Virgin Australia recently announced a firm order for eight E190-E2 jets, with deliveries expected to commence in the second half of 2025.
According to Boeing’s 2024 Commercial Market Outlook for the Asia-Pacific region, passenger air traffic is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.2% until 2043, significantly outpacing the global average growth rate of 4.7%. This growth will largely be facilitated by narrowbody jets, which are essential in connecting the region’s diverse island geography and meeting the travel demand across Asia-Pacific, particularly to and from China and Northeast Asia.