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Zhuhai, November 19, 2020 – MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, a joint venture between MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airlines Company Limited, has completed its facility expansion to increase existing capacity by 50 percent to 450 shop visits per year and adding ca. 13,600 square meters as well as employee sport and parking facilities. Teams will start moving into the office buildings from December and the shop will ramp up initially to full capacity as market demand increases post COVID-19 crisis. 

“We’re extremely confident in the recovery of the Chinese and Asian market region, as underlined by our commitment to building a second facility in the region announced earlier this week,” says Michael Schreyögg, Chief Program Officer, MTU Aero Engines. “Despite a slow second quarter, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai is back operating at nearly 100 percent and assuming this trend continues, we’re very optimistic about 2021 at the facility.” 

In fact, the shop just completed its 3,000th engine, a V2500 from its joint venture partner.
This achievement was celebrated in a small, socially-distanced ceremony with representatives from both joint partners as well as the facility’s employees. 

“I’m delighted that we achieved both these milestones and have the chance to celebrate some positive news in what has been a turbulent year for our industry,” adds Jaap Beijer, President and CEO, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai. “I’d like to express my gratitude to our joint venture partner for the on-going, great collaboration. I’d also like to thank our customers worldwide, who have contributed to this success, as well as our highly motivated employees for their dedication in making these achievements possible.” 

The Zhuhai shop provides comprehensive services for CFM56, LEAP and V2500 engines, has an advanced machinery and performs 80 percent of parts repairs in-house. Located in Zhuhai's free trade zone, the facility benefits from its proximity to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Macao. Service teams can be dispatched to the customers in the region in no time. In addition to China Southern, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai serves over 70 customers from China, Asia and around the world, including International Aero Engines, Saudia Airlines and All Nippon Airways, as well as Chinese Shenzhen Airlines, Xiamen Airlines and Hainan Airlines. Its first expansion, increasing capacity from 200 to 300 shop visits, was completed in 2012.