The maintenance subsidiary of Indonesia’s national airline Garuda Indonesia has signed a long-term concession agreement with Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate and manage aircraft maintenance facilities at Muscat International Airport, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into the Middle East.
The agreement was signed by Garuda Maintenance Facility (GMF) AeroAsia Chief Executive Officer Andi Fahrurrozi and Oman CAA President Naif Ali Al-Abri on the sidelines of the Civil Aviation Investment Forum held in Muscat earlier this week.
Under the 20-year concession agreement, GMF AeroAsia will be responsible for developing and operating aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, including hangars and supporting infrastructure at Muscat International Airport.
According to the company, the project will be implemented in phases and is expected to strengthen GMF’s ability to serve airlines operating across the Middle East and neighboring regions.
“The development of an MRO facility in Oman marks the first step in establishing GMF’s operational presence closer to customers in the Middle East and surrounding regions,” said Andi Fahrurrozi.
“With our experience and capabilities, we see an opportunity to serve a broader aircraft maintenance market while contributing to the growth of Oman’s aviation industry.”
The agreement is viewed as a strategic move by GMF AeroAsia to expand beyond Southeast Asia and tap into the rapidly growing aviation market in the Gulf region.
Under the arrangement, Oman will retain ownership of the hangar facilities while acting as the concession provider and aviation regulator. The Civil Aviation Authority will oversee compliance with aviation regulations, operational requirements, and safety standards.
The project is expected to support Oman’s ambitions to strengthen its position as a regional aviation hub while attracting additional investment into aviation-related services.
Industry observers note that demand for aircraft maintenance services in the Middle East continues to grow as airlines expand fleets and increase operations across international routes.
For Garuda Indonesia’s maintenance division, the partnership provides an opportunity to establish a permanent operational footprint in one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors and compete for maintenance contracts from regional and international carriers.
The development also reflects increasing cooperation between Indonesia and Gulf countries in sectors such as aviation, infrastructure, and technical services.
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