Oman Air and GMF Inaugurate Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Muscat with Capacity for Six Aircraft

Equal joint venture between Omani and Indonesian partners establishes a 3.85-hectare facility, targeting full operations in January 2027 and attracting regional and international airline customers.

Oman Air and Indonesia’s GMF AeroAsia have inaugurated a joint aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) venture at Muscat International Airport under the name Oman GMF Technic, aiming to develop local aviation maintenance capabilities and attract business from regional and international airlines.

The facility was officially inaugurated on November 10, 2026, in the presence of senior Omani and Indonesian officials. The company is working to complete the necessary technical preparations and operational requirements ahead of its targeted full launch in January 2027.

Covering an area of 3.85 hectares, the facility features two hangars capable of accommodating two wide-body and four narrow-body aircraft simultaneously.

Its infrastructure includes advanced aircraft access systems, automated equipment and spare parts storage facilities, and dedicated areas for ground engine testing.

The center is expected to provide base and heavy maintenance services, alongside line maintenance support, initially serving domestic airlines while targeting customers from regional and international markets.

Ownership of Oman GMF Technic is equally divided between Oman Air and GMF AeroAsia, a subsidiary of the Garuda Indonesia Group, with the Indonesian partner taking a leading role in technical and operational management.

The project operates under a 20-year agreement granting the venture the right to manage the maintenance facility at Muscat International Airport, providing a foundation for business development and long-term maintenance contracts.

Nasser Al Sharji, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said the partnership would support the establishment of a world-class maintenance center while creating opportunities to develop national talent and attract aviation maintenance business from international markets.

Andy Fahrurrozi, Chief Executive Officer of GMF AeroAsia, emphasized that the venture would strengthen the company’s international expansion and facilitate the transfer of technical expertise into new markets.

The venture is developing its technical capabilities and working toward obtaining relevant international approvals, including certifications from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to support its future ability to serve international carriers.

The project also prioritizes knowledge transfer, specialized technical training, and career development opportunities for Omani professionals in aircraft engineering and maintenance.

The project’s economic significance lies in establishing domestic aircraft maintenance capacity that could eventually reduce reliance on overseas service providers while creating new opportunities for Oman in the aviation services market.

Access to maintenance facilities closer to airline operations may also improve maintenance scheduling flexibility. However, any measurable impact on flight punctuality or operating costs has yet to be demonstrated through published data.

Neither the project’s total investment value nor maintenance contracts with additional airlines have been disclosed. Its commercial performance will therefore depend on the commencement of full operations and its ability to attract customers in the coming years.