MAHB inks MoUs to transform Subang into aerospace, aviation hub

MAHB managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said Subang has a mature aerospace community

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is pushing ahead to transform Subang into an aerospace and aviation hub by partnering with several major aerospace and industry players.

MAHB said on Wednesday it had inked several  several partnership deals and MoUs at the Singapore Airshow 2018 for its Subang Regeneration Initiative.

Its managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said Subang has a mature aerospace community well-known for maintenance, repair & overhaul; fixed-base operator; manufacturing, and training.

Already Spirit Aerosystems, one of Airbus and Boeing’s major suppliers, as well as Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo – formerly known as AgustaWestland-- have made their base in Subang. 

“We expect that a further regeneration of the Subang Aerospace and Aviation ecosystem will create a spill-over effect into KLIA Aeropolis in the future – an emerging Aerospace and Aviation ecosystem. 

“Currently, we are creating value through synergistic collaboration with our business partners in order to derive mutual benefits and provide solutions in terms of supply chain, human capital, infrastructure and equipment, as well as technology to attract aerospace players to be part of the established ecosystem in Subang and subsequently expand into KLIA Aeropolis,” Badlisham said. 

The first partnership agreement is between Malaysia Airports and Axis REIT Real Estate Investment Trust (Axis-REIT) to develop a built-to-suit industrial manufacturing facility for Senior Aerospace UPECA. 

Meanwhile, Senior Aerospace UPECA is part of the Senior group of companies, an international manufacturer of high technology components and systems.

They are a Global Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier to Boeing, Airbus and other major Aerospace customers.

This new 178,000 square feet facility will boast state-of-the-art automation and will house over 400 highly skilled engineering and technical employees.

The second partnership agreement is between MAHB  and Skyways Technics, a company based in Sønderborg and Billund Airport, South Denmark with over 30 years of maintenance experience in ATR aircraft. 

Malaysia Airports also signed two MoU with Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) and MARA Corp. 

AsBAA is an association representing 150 business and general aviation entities across the region. 

AsBAA’s role will be to provide crucial industry knowledge on related key development issues and provide recommendations to transform the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang as an attractive destination for business aviation, serving both local and regional industry needs.