RTX's Collins Aerospace and Etihad Engineering create nacelle MRO joint venture
Increased Middle East capability primed to meet future demands of widebody platforms
LONDON, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Farnborough International Airshow – Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE:RTX) business, and Etihad Airways Engineering LLC (Etihad Engineering) announced a joint venture agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The JV will provide nacelle and thrust reverser maintenance solutions, along with asset support services, for Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 widebody fleets across regional and international carriers.
As part of the agreement, Collins will relocate existing UAE nacelle operations to Etihad Engineering's 550,000-square-meter aviation maintenance centre of excellence near Zayed International Airport, doubling Collins' current nacelle MRO footprint in the Middle East. The 3,250-square-meter facility is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2027.
"By co-locating with Etihad Engineering's rapidly expanding heavy maintenance facility, Collins can deliver enhanced service levels and technical expertise to meet the demand of the Middle East region's fast growing aviation market," said PJ Titone, vice president and general manager of Advanced Structures for Collins Aerospace. "This joint venture expands our global MRO footprint and supports the rising number of commercial aircraft equipped with Collins nacelles helping carriers across the region reduce costs and improve turnaround times."
Etihad Engineering, a part of Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) group of companies, is one of the world's leading aircraft MRO service providers, offering extensive aircraft maintenance and engineering solutions across a range of airframe maintenance and component repair services. The establishment of the JV will complement and expand Etihad Engineering's existing aircraft maintenance solutions and provide airline customers in the region and from around the world with enhanced nacelle MRO services.
Mahmood Al Hameli, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA), said: "This new capability aligns with our Group's long-term commitment to organic growth through capability enhancement and the development of local expertise. This not only broadens our service offerings but also enhances resilience and provides better responsiveness to our customers."
"We offer our global customer base a wide range of industry-leading aircraft maintenance and engineering services in Abu Dhabi as a one-stop MRO solutions partner. The creation of this JV with Collins Aerospace strengthens our world-class value proposition by adding high-quality nacelle maintenance and thrust reverser MRO services to our comprehensive existing portfolio for our customers from all over the world," said Daniel Hoffmann, CEO of Etihad Engineering.
The JV will operate as part of Collins' aerostructures aftermarket network supported by a global team.
About Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, provides advanced aerospace and defense solutions across avionics, aircraft interiors, aerostructures and engine components, mission systems, and power and control systems. Our global employees are dedicated to delivering innovative technologies to enhance aircraft performance, passenger comfort, operational safety and reliability.
About RTX
With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
About Etihad Engineering
Etihad Engineering is one of the world's leading commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services providers and the largest in the Middle East. The company offers comprehensive aircraft maintenance and engineering services, including design, advanced composite repair, cabin refurbishment and component services, as well as technical training, from its state-of-the-art 550,000 sqm facility located in Abu Dhabi, adjacent to Zayed International Airport. The 2000-strong Etihad Engineering team with professionals from more than 50 nations has successfully completed aircraft maintenance projects over the years for hundreds of satisfied customers from all over the world. For more information, please visit: www.etihadengineering.com and follow the latest company updates on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/etihad-engineering
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com and Farrukh Naeem for Etihad Engineering at EYfnaeem@etihadengineering.ae.
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SOURCE RTX