DWC Signs Agreement with STTS Group for Aircraft Painting Facility Worth over AED 150 Mn

Evolving DWC ecosystem will cement Dubai’s role as the new global hub for the general aviation and aerospace industry

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 09 December, 2014 – Dubai World Central, the world’s first purpose-built aerotropolis, announced today the signing of a strategic agreement with STTS Group, a major player in aircraft painting, at the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) exhibition held at DWC from December 8 to 10, 2014.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Rashed Bu Qara’a, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Christophe Cador, CEO and President, Finaero (holding company of STTS Group), and French diplomatic representatives including Majdi Abed, General Consul and Jean-Claude Daupeyroux, Economic Counselor.

Under the agreement, the STTS Group, headquartered in Blagnac, France, will invest in a multi-purpose facility worth over AED 150 million (USD 40 million) that will cater to narrow body airlines, VIP aircraft as well as business jets. The business case could develop into a capacity to service wide body aircraft, including the Airbus A380.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Rashed Bu Qara’a said: “With this new partnership, DWC has come closer to its ambition of becoming the only hub outside of North America and Europe to offer a complete ecosystem to the aviation and aerospace industry. We are setting the stage to enable our partners to connect better with a flourishing regional market and, by extension, to the global market.”

Scheduled for completion in Q1 of 2017, it will be the Middle East’s first, independent aircraft facility to utilize state-of-the-art OEM-approved painting technology. It will be built to handle 25 wide body aircraft and 35 narrow body aircraft on an annual basis.

Christophe Cador, CEO and President, Finaero, holding company of the STTS Group, said: “It is a great and challenging opportunity for STTS Group to be able to serve the Middle East market from Dubai World Central. Founded on a 5 year relationship built with Emirates Engineering, the vibrant hospitality provided by DWC and the huge expansion of the fleet servicing the Middle East, we have decided to invest in an environment friendly and state of the art operational setting. In line with our other operations, quality and OTD (on time delivery) will remain our main focus.”

The STTS facility adds to the DWC aviation and aerospace ecosystem, which now includes the recently announced 13,705 sq. mt. Falcon VIP Completion Center that will provide enhanced and customized services to VIP customers and will also feature a state-of-the-art hangar equipped to accommodate various aircraft, including an Airbus A380.

STTS Group employs 1600 people in nine countries across Europe, China and Morocco. In 2013, STTS group painted 360 aircraft, sized from Citation / Learjet up to Airbus A380. Its certifications: EN 9100, ISO 9001: 2000, EASA PART 145, ISO 14001, AIRBUS in-house certification, OHSAS 18001, combined with its unique training center for painters in Toulouse, STAT, enables STTS Group to offer its customers the best aircraft painting and sealing solutions.