ASKY Airlines and TAAG Angola Advance In-House MRO Capabilities

West and Southern African carriers ASKY Airlines and TAAG Angola Airlines are moving to strengthen operational self-sufficiency by establishing in-house maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, reflecting a broader push by African airlines to reduce reliance on overseas maintenance providers as fleets expand.

ASKY Airlines, based in Lomé, is planning a USD 100 million MRO centre that will be developed through a joint venture with its minority shareholder Ethiopian Airlines. The facility is intended to serve not only ASKY’s own fleet but also operators across West and Central Africa, where access to certified maintenance infrastructure remains limited.

According to ASKY, the project is still in its preparatory phase, with contractor bids expected to be invited in 2027, followed by construction once partners and financing are finalised. The first phase of the Lomé MRO centre will include two hangars capable of accommodating narrowbody aircraft, alongside workshops for component repair and line maintenance activities. Subsequent phases are expected to expand the facility’s capabilities to include widebody aircraft, aligning with ASKY’s longer-term ambitions to launch intercontinental services using Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

ASKY’s investment underscores the strategic importance of maintenance capacity in supporting fleet growth, improving dispatch reliability, and lowering operating costs. By developing local MRO infrastructure, the airline aims to reduce aircraft downtime associated with ferry flights to Europe or the Middle East for heavy checks, while also creating skilled aviation jobs in the region.

Meanwhile, TAAG Angola Airlines is progressing with plans to establish its own MRO facility in Angola in partnership with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The project forms part of TAAG’s broader restructuring and fleet modernisation programme as the airline seeks to improve efficiency and technical autonomy.

TAAG’s MRO development will consist of three prefabricated hangars, with the first scheduled to enter service in June 2026. The facility will initially focus on supporting TAAG’s narrowbody operations, before expanding its scope as additional infrastructure comes online. The airline operates primarily from Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport, which is expected to benefit from enhanced technical capabilities and reduced maintenance-related disruptions.

Both projects highlight a growing trend among African carriers to invest in domestic and regional MRO solutions. As aircraft fleets become more modern and technologically complex, access to certified maintenance facilities has become a critical bottleneck for growth. In-house capabilities not only offer cost and scheduling advantages but also strengthen airlines’ negotiating positions with lessors and manufacturers.

For ASKY and TAAG, the development of MRO centres represents a strategic step toward long-term sustainability. By anchoring maintenance expertise closer to home, both airlines are positioning themselves to support future fleet expansion, improve operational resilience, and play a more active role in building Africa’s aviation ecosystem.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com