A new aircraft engine overhaul facility in Cyprus was inaugurated on Thursday 16 January.
The event was attended by Alexis Vafiadis, Minister of Transport, Communications and Public Works, Yiorgos Papanastasiou, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Julie Fisher, US Ambassador to Cyprus, and a number of other high-ranking officials.
It is recalled that the construction of the facility, located in Larnaca in the Aradippou area, was carried out by the United Aerospace Maintenance Company (UAMCO). The developer constructed a 3-storey building with an area of 2,997 m2 and equipped it with:
- Aircraft engine overhaul workshops,
- Aircraft engine maintenance workshops,
- auxiliary rooms,
- sanitary rooms,
- offices.
For the convenience of employees and customers, there is a spacious car park for 33 cars, including 2 for people with disabilities. According to preliminary data, the new facility will repair and maintain at least 30 aircraft engines per year.
The aviation sector is a key part of Cyprus' national strategy. The new facility, the first of its kind in Cyprus, is EASA certified. It was approved after a detailed inspection by the Civil Aviation Department," Vafiades said in his speech.
He stressed that the project was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the state, private companies and international organisations. The Minister also highlighted the strategic advantage of Cyprus, which is located at the crossroads of three continents, making it an ideal location for the establishment of a regional aviation centre.
For his part, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Yiorgos Papanastasiou said that the presence of foreign companies in Cyprus "is an additional motivation for the government to continue its efforts to transform Cyprus into an attractive international business and technology centre". He expressed confidence that the opening of the aircraft engine overhaul facility 'could be a milestone in the partnership between business and government in a wide range of sectors.
The cooperation with UAMCO will significantly strengthen Cyprus' role in the international aircraft maintenance industry. This agreement opens up opportunities for fast and efficient aircraft repairs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, reducing waiting times and optimising industry performance," Papanastasiou stressed.
In closing, Julie Fisher said she was honoured to attend the opening of the new facility and noted that "this is an incredible moment for the trade relationship between the US and Cyprus.
It is important to both countries that the new project in Cyprus be a success. This is a concrete, tangible result that we are working on in this relationship, in many areas," the US Ambassador concluded.
The CEO of UAMCO, Ioannis Savvidis, said that the launch of the new plant represents one of the most significant technological investments in the history of Cyprus. Savvidis stressed that by attracting leading experts from various countries, including Cyprus, the company is not only introducing advanced technologies, but is also actively contributing to the development of the professional potential of local specialists. This, he said, has a positive impact on the economic situation in the region.