Sanad and Abu Dhabi Airports Ink Long-Term Musataha Agreement to Anchor the UAE’s Aerospace Future in Al Ain

Long-Term Agreement Secures Two Strategic Plots in Al Ain Aerospace Park to House Sanad’s GTF Engine MRO Center, Twin Test Cells, and Future Expansion Facilities.

Dubai, 18 November 2025 — Sanad, the global aerospace engineering and leasing leader wholly owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), today announced the signing of a long-term Musataha agreement, a land lease arrangement granting development rights, with Abu Dhabi Airports (ADAC), the UAE’s premier airport operator, during the Dubai Airshow 2025.

Valued at approximately the 50-year agreement secures two plots totaling 70,000 square meters within the Al Ain Aerospace Park. The strategically located sites will form the foundation of Sanad’s next-generation aerospace developments, including the MRO center for the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine, the twin 12×12 test cell complex, and future expansion initiatives.

The signing ceremony took place at the Dubai Airshow 2025 and was signed by Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad, and Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, in the presence of Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri from Mubadala Investment Company and Eleni Sorlini from Abu Dhabi Airports.

This milestone agreement further strengthens Al Ain’s position as a center of excellence for aviation and supports the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy to establish the Emirate as a global hub for aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Together, Sanad and ADAC are driving the UAE’s long-term vision to build a world-class aerospace ecosystem that fuels sustainable industrial growth and innovation-led diversification.

Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad, said: “This long-term agreement with Abu Dhabi Airports marks another major milestone in Sanad’s journey to expand the UAE’s aerospace capabilities. By securing the foundation for our GTF Engine MRO Center, test cell complex, and future growth, we are investing in infrastructure that will anchor Abu Dhabi’s position as global hub for aerospace excellence. This development will also create high-skilled employment opportunities in Al Ain, empowering national talent and shaping the UAE’s knowledge-driven economy.”

Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said:
“Our partnership with Sanad reflects Abu Dhabi Airports’ broader strategic focus on Al Ain Region, where aerospace stands as a prime example of the high-value industries we are committed to enabling. This Musataha agreement accelerates the development of Al Ain Aerospace Park as a world-class hub for aviation, engineering, and advanced technology. It allows us to provide the strategic infrastructure that empowers national champions like Sanad to grow, attract international partners, and create long-term opportunities across the aviation ecosystem. Together, we are shaping a new era for the UAE’s aerospace sector and reinforcing Al Ain’s pivotal role within it.”

The Musataha agreement marks another major step in Sanad’s expansion strategy announced at the Dubai Airshow 2025, uniting strategic collaborations with global OEMs, airlines, technology partners, and industry stakeholders to accelerate the growth of the UAE’s aerospace ecosystem. The construction of the GTF Engine MRO Center and test cells complex will position Al Ain at the heart of the region’s next-generation aerospace cluster, driving innovation, industrial capability, and global competitiveness.