British Airways Expands Engineering at Gatwick
British Airways has announced a strategic acquisition that will significantly enhance its engineering operations at London-Gatwick Airport. The airline is set to acquire the Boeing hangar facility and its associated MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) business—assets that have been operated by Boeing since 2019. This move, according to BA, is designed to secure jobs at the site and bolster its presence at this key airport, ultimately benefiting customers by integrating additional skills, expertise, and modern facilities into British Airways’ engineering network.
As part of the transaction, British Airways will establish a new wholly-owned subsidiary called British Airways Engineering Gatwick (BAEG). This new unit will join the airline’s existing engineering operations at Cardiff in South Wales (BAEW) and Glasgow Airport in Scotland (BAMG). Employees currently working at the Boeing-operated facility at Gatwick are expected to transfer to the new subsidiary in the second quarter of 2025, following a comprehensive employee information and consultation process.
Boeing initially launched operations at the Gatwick facility in 2019 to support its fleet care program, branded as ‘Goldcare.’ Although the Goldcare program was shut down at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility maintained licenses to perform maintenance work up to C-check level, as well as line maintenance, lease transitions, and modifications on a wide range of Boeing aircraft, including the 737NG, 737 MAX, 777, and 787 families.
In a statement, British Airways emphasized that this acquisition represents a significant investment as part of its broader strategy to expand and modernize its engineering operations. “This is a significant investment for British Airways and forms part of the airline’s strategy to expand its engineering operation,” the statement read. The carrier expects that, in the longer term, the new facility will create additional job opportunities and support further growth at Gatwick. Enhancing the engineering hub at this airport is anticipated to strengthen BA’s ability to carry out both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, thus relieving capacity constraints at other sites in its network.
The expanded capabilities at Gatwick will primarily support maintenance on British Airways’ Boeing 777-200ER fleet based at the airport. Additionally, with the integration of the new hangar and the establishment of BAEG, the airline will be well-equipped to handle scheduled heavy maintenance work on its Airbus A320/A321 fleet, particularly for British Airways EuroFlyer, which operates exclusively from Gatwick. The improved capacity will not only streamline maintenance operations but also reduce the need to ferry aircraft to other bases—an important step in supporting BA’s sustainability goals.
British Airways Chief Technical Officer Andy Best commented on the acquisition, stating, “Today’s announcement will help us to be the very best in the business by bringing in the skills and expertise of former Boeing colleagues and adding a large, modern hangar to our portfolio of Engineering facilities.” Best highlighted that this development will reinforce the reliability of the entire fleet, providing clear benefits for customers and colleagues alike. “We’re proud of our Gatwick operation and this will give us a stronger presence, underlining our commitment to the airport,” he added.
Overall, the acquisition of the Boeing hangar facility at Gatwick is set to be a game-changer for British Airways. By expanding its engineering operations and incorporating cutting-edge MRO capabilities, BA is positioning itself to enhance operational efficiency, secure jobs, and deliver superior service to its customers.
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