GE AEROSPACE RAMPS UP APAC INVESTMENT, MALAYSIA AS MRO GROWTH HUB

By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- GE Aerospace has accelerated investments in Asia Pacific (APAC) with Malaysia as the cornerstone for its regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) expansion strategy, as the aerospace major prepares for sustained growth in post-pandemic air travel demand.

The company has committed up to US$1 billion globally to expand MRO capacity, with Malaysia receiving a growing share of capital allocation to support rising engine service requirements from airlines across the region.

GE Aerospace executive director for Asia Pacific and offloads overhaul leader Suresh Shunmugam said the rebound in air travel after the COVID-19 pandemic has outpaced the industry’s ability to add capacity, which is driving urgent demand for engine after-services.

“As airlines expand fleets and flying hours, the demand for engine services increases. Malaysia plays a critical role in helping us build the capacity needed to support our customers in APAC and beyond,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.

Capacity, infrastructure expansion

GE Aerospace invested US$75 million in Asia Pacific last year, and US$45 million in 2024, with further funding planned in the coming years as part of a multi-year expansion programme.

The US$75 million investment will be channelled towards doubling the company’s physical footprint in Malaysia, acquiring new equipment and machinery, and building a second state-of-the-art engine test facility in Sepang, the only facility of its kind in the country.

The expansion is expected to double GE Aerospace Malaysia’s engine overhaul capacity annually by 2027, once the new facilities are fully operational.

“Doubling our footprint does not simply mean holding more engines at one time. The focus is on increasing throughput by turning engines around faster, improving efficiency and delivering higher value to our customers,” Suresh said.

The current facility at Subang plans to increase throughput through process optimisation and advanced tooling significantly.

Workforce investment

The company’s three facilities across Singapore account for over 60 per cent of worldwide component repairs.

Its Singapore facility at Seletar Aerospace Park will also be upgraded into a research centre for advanced repair technologies, complementing Malaysia’s engine overhaul expansion.

Suresh said a significant portion of GE Aerospace’s investment will be directed towards workforce development, including upskilling existing employees, expanding apprenticeship programmes and attracting young talent.

GE Aerospace employs more than 700 people in Malaysia.

 Malaysia will receive targeted support via the GE Aerospace Foundation, which has committed US$30 million globally to skilled workforce development, including a US$125,000 grant last year to collaborate with Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT) to strengthen industry-ready talent pipelines.

Suresh said Malaysia’s strong talent pool, collaborative government agencies and supportive aerospace ecosystem continue to make it an attractive investment destination.

“Malaysia is strategically located close to our customers, supported by a strong workforce and a cooperative policy environment. These factors allow us to invest with confidence and plan for long-term growth,” he said.

Looking ahead, he said GE Aerospace expects APAC to remain one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, driven by fleet expansion, new airline entrants and increasing adoption of fuel-efficient LEAP engines, which offer about 15 per cent lower fuel burn versus CFM56 engines. 

“We are investing not just to meet today’s demand, but to future-proof our operations in Malaysia and the region,” he added. 

-- BERNAMA