Airod eyes higher revenue next year

AIROD, Malaysia's leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company, is targeting to achieve higher revenue next year with significant contribution coming from its international projects.

AIROD chief operating officer Edron Ahmad said revenue for 2011, however, will be slightly lower as international projects from the Middle East were impacted by the unrest and political turmoil in the region.

"We registered a turnover of RM311 million last year," he told a media briefing here today.

However, Edron said AIROD expected more projects from the Middle East, once the political situation in the region stabilised.
Edron said that Airod would invest approximately RM250 million, over a period of four to five years to expand its hangar space and workshops to cater for its intended business expansion in commercial MRO.

He also said the investment would include expansion of hangar floor area from approximately 375,000 sq ft to over 500,000 sq ft. Inspite of newer generation aircraft coming into the market, Edron said, MRO services would still be required for older aircraft.

"We have the capability to ensure that the fleet of older aircraft are still economically viable to operate through maintenance, modification and upgrades.

"We are ready to move aggressively into the commercial MRO market by next year and we are focusing our strengths and capabilities to move into this market," he added.

Deputy chief operating officer Pietro Mohd Isa said AIROD was in collaboration with Malaysian Aerospace Engineering (MAE) to set up an MRO facility in Kunming, China.

In July, MAE and AIROD signed a general terms agreement to
co-optimise the use of skilled manpower and resources. Currently, he said AIROD was working with MAE on an ATR42-500 aircraft owned by Phoenix Aircraft Leasing Sdn Bhd.
Phoenix Aircraft director Mohd Naguib said the company was proud to have chosen AIROD given its recognition as a centre of excellence and expertise. -- BERNAMA